Assistant Minister for Community Safety and Mundingburra MP Janelle Poole says Castle Law is not part of the plan to tackle youth crime
After an “abhorrent” home invasion on Mother’s Day, Mundingburra MP Janelle Poole has revealed whether Castle Law will form part of the party’s response to youth crime. DETAILS.
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Labelling a terrifying Mother’s Day Home invasion as an “abhorrent” act, Mundingburra’s MP has shared whether the State Government would consider a push for the Katter’s Australian Party to include Castle Law in their Adult Crime, Adult Time laws.
KAP deputy leader Nick Dametto said on Monday that Castle Law was the “final step” to tackle youth crime.
Mundingburra MP Janelle Poole, who is also the assistant minister for community safety, said the three offenders who broke into a Mount Louisa home and threatened a mother with a knife before stealing her keys and car were “absolute grubs” who have “no part” in the community.
“That behaviour and these people have absolutely no part to play in our community, and we will not stop, as a government we will not stop until we have restored safety in our community,” she said.
While the offenders are still being sought by police, Ms Poole said once found they will be arrested and dealt with in the judicial system under the Adult Crime, Adult Time legislation.
“To give you an idea of how the Adult Crime, Adult Time, Making Queensland Safer legislation is working we have had a defence barrister stand up and say prior to the 13th of December a young person was sentenced on the unlawful use of a motor vehicle received six months, after the 13th of December when they committed exactly the same offence they received 18 months,” she said.
On the push from the KAP to have Castle Law introduced, which would allow victims to use “any means necessary to defend themselves” in their own homes, Mr Poole said at this point in time it was “not part of the plan”.
She said Section 267 of the Criminal Code 1899, which states it is lawful for a person “to use force to prevent or repel another person from unlawfully entering or remaining in the dwelling, if the person using the force believes on reasonable grounds”, does offer people the protection to protect their property.
“It’s really important that we do not become that country or that state … where we have a free for all for everybody,” she said.
“We have always said that we are there to give our police the laws, the legislation and the resources that they need to do their job.
“If we need to strengthen anything that is where our focus needs to be.”
“We need to put that focus on giving our police the powers that they need to do their job.”
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Originally published as Assistant Minister for Community Safety and Mundingburra MP Janelle Poole says Castle Law is not part of the plan to tackle youth crime
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