Labor’s Townsville Christmas Crime Plan

Hinchinbrook MP and KAP Deputy Leader, Nick Dametto.

8 December 2023

With Christmas fast approaching, Hinchinbrook MP and KAP Deputy Leader Nick Dametto wants to know, what are Labor’s Christmas plans? Not in the conventional sense though, he’s asking what is Labor’s Christmas Crime plan for Townsville to keep the community safe.

Violent car jackings, home invasions and car thefts have sky-rocketed in past weeks and the community is rightly nervous ahead of the holiday season with many wondering if it is safe to venture out or is it safe to leave their homes unoccupied on the holidays.

Mr Dametto is demanding transparency from the State Labor Government regarding their strategy to combat crime and protect the Townsville community over the Christmas period, a time when crime notoriously worsens.

In the absence of an already developed plan, Mr. Dametto, with the support of Townsville Deputy Mayor Mark Molachino, has today called for an urgent roundtable meeting in Townsville. This meeting would bring together the city’s civic leaders to collaboratively develop a robust plan to tackle crime during over the festive season.

“We cannot ignore the increasing crime rate and the escalation of violence in Townsville. Women and vulnerable residents are being targeted and car-jacked day after day. It’s also blatantly obvious that higher end luxury cars are the flavour of the month,” Mr Dametto said.

“If the State Labor Government doesn’t have a concrete plan in place, I am calling for an immediate roundtable discussion with local leaders. Together, we can devise an effective strategy to throw everything we’ve got at ensuring the safety and well-being of the community during this critical period,” Mr. Dametto added.

“The Palaszczuk Government can try to ignore this crime crisis all they like but the fact is the voters of this state demand a solution and meaningful action before more innocent people are hurt and the public are forced to takes matters into their own hands.

“While Transport and Main Roads continue to revenue raise via speed and mobile phone cameras in the name of safety, this kind of behaviour is fostered by the State Government.”

Should an urgent roundtable meeting be required, Mr Dametto, has requested the Minister for Police and Corrective Services and Minister for Fire and Emergency Services (Hon. Mark Ryan) and the Minister for Youth Justice (Hon. Di Farmer) to urgently convene the meeting and include the State Members of Townsville, Mundingburra and Thuringowa, the Federal Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson and Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill.

Mr Dametto remains steadfast in his commitment to represent the interests and well-being of Townsville residents who have been abandoned by the Government and other local State MPs in a time of crisis.

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