Youth crime Qld: Rape law change to come this calendar year

Rape and other serious crimes may not be covered by the state government’s flagship “adult crime, adult time” laws until the end of the year – despite an horrific attack on a couple in Cairns.

Premier David Crisafulli on Sunday. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Rape and other serious crimes may not be covered by the state government’s flagship “adult crime, adult time” laws until the end of the year – despite an horrific attack on a couple in Cairns.

Premier David Crisafulli on Sunday vowed that youth rape laws, which were not among the first tranche of offences, would be strengthened this calendar year, and there were complexities involved with rape charges.

Mr Crisafulli said an expert panel had already met following the horrific events, where a woman was allegedly raped by teen intruders while her husband was held at knifepoint in their Manunda home.

Three boys, two aged 15 and one of 16, are accused over the attack. Two of them were charged on Friday with 11 offences each, including five counts of rape and two counts each of armed robbery and deprivation of liberty.

One of the 15-year-olds has been charged with 13 offences, including five counts of rape, two counts each of armed robbery and deprivation of liberty, possessing dangerous drugs and obstructing police officer.

“I am far from satisfied with where things are. We’ve taken the first steps sure, but there’s going to be a lot more changes to the Act and my only commitment to Queenslanders is every change will be a strengthening,” Mr Crisafulli said.

Police Minister Dan Purdie on Sunday. Picture: Steve Pohlner

The Premier said there were complexities involved with rape charges, but they had to be strengthened.

“It’s important that we have the best minds to work out what that looks like but I want Queenslanders to know that the changes won’t be going in the other direction,” he said.

Mr Crisafulli said the teens allegedly involved in the Cairns attack would not be dealt harsher penalties for the horrific ­alleged rape of the woman who was woken and dragged from her house. Those responsible would still be subject to “adult crime, adult time” sentences for several of the other charges.

Police Minister Dan Purdie said while the matters in Cairns were before the court, the teens were still facing offences that carry a maximum penalty of life behind bars.

“As the Premier said and as a former police officer, we will continue to be tough on crime, we’ll continue to give our police and the courts everything they need to drive down crime,” he said.

Asked the logic behind putting burglary and robbery on the list but not rape, Police Minister Mr Purdie said the government made a commitment that included establishing an expert panel which it took it to the election.

“This is well and truly on the table for the expert panel as well as a lot of other serious crimes that are committed in Queensland,” he said.

Opposition police spokesman Glenn Butcher said Mr Crisafulli’s signature “adult crime, adult time” laws had failed.

“The LNP had ample time to strengthen the laws last week and chose not to,” Mr Butcher said.

Originally published as Youth crime Qld: Rape law change to come this calendar year