Editorial: New Premier must not repeat mistakes of the past

New Premier David Crisafulli must learn the lessons of history and not rush at the gate, writes the editor.

Premier David Crisafulli at Parliament House this week. Picture: Glenn Campbell/NCA NewsWire

Having won the election with a promise to crack down on youth crime, today is the day the rubber really starts to hit the road for Premier David Crisafulli.

To his credit, he is not wasting any time. The government will use the first proper sitting day of the state’s 58th parliament to introduce its promised “adult crime, adult time” laws that would see children who commit serious crimes face the same penalties as adults – and so make real the threat of 10 years in jail for stealing cars, and 14 years for carjacking and even burglary.

This change is in fact moving so quickly that some legal and youth justice experts have complained they will not be given enough time – just 12 days, including weekends – to scrutinise and comment on the proposed and complex legislation before the LNP-dominated parliament will vote on them.

The Queensland Law Society calls it “autocratic governing”. And perhaps you could make that argument. But it is certainly not the first time a government has pushed changes quickly through our state’s uniquely single-house parliament.

At least in this instance there is a very clear mandate for change. The election result confirms that public concern about youth crime is an issue that voters want addressed more forcefully, and quickly.

Even former premier and now Opposition Leader Steven Miles acknowledges as much, saying in the days after the bruising election loss that the LNP had won a strong mandate for its “adult crime, adult time” policy and that “I don’t think you should expect us to be opposing what was clearly the policy they took to the election”.

Mr Miles has since backtracked somewhat, now saying Labor will need to see the detail of the proposed laws before approving them. But regardless of Labor’s position, it is clear Queensland will soon have tough new youth crime legislation on the books.

However, that will be just the start. The LNP will next need to ensure the laws work. And that will not be easy – with more than a few magistrates and judges showing in recent times they are willing to act against the will of the legislature.

Further, the government’s plan to keep consultation to a minimum in its effort to meet its promise of the new laws being in place before Christmas more of less guarantees there will be unforeseen glitches and problems.

Indeed, some have already surfaced – with the realisation that the state is already facing a critical bed shortage in youth detention centres. That means there are expectations he number of children detained in watch houses across the state will rise threefold from 30 to 100 over the holiday period, a situation that will presumably get worse once the new “adult crime, adult time” laws take effect.

Premier David Crisafulli during the opening of Parliament on Wednesday

Housing children in watch houses is not only undesirable but expensive. It can only ever be a temporary option. But for now, the new government has little choice.

Predictably, the LNP is blaming its predecessors for this mess, with new Youth Justice Minister Laura Gerber saying Labor failed to plan for future capacity – or to properly manage detention centre builds.

Perhaps. But the LNP – in line with community sentiment – wants to lock more kids up. These issues are also a natural extension of that.

The youth crime crackdown was a significant feature of the speech that Governor Jeannette Young ceremonially delivered yesterday in the old red chamber of parliament that outlined in detail the Crisafulli Government’s action plan.

Her speech was comprehensive and optimistic, as these declarations of intent always are – promises of better hospitals and transport services to safer communities, and an end to the housing crisis.

“My government will be a fresh start for Queensland,” the governor who was appointed by the former government slightly awkwardly had to declare. “It will be a government of accountability focused every day on the issues that matter to Queenslanders – safety where you live, health services when you need, respect for your money, a place to call home, and a government that works for you.”

It was good to see in the speech a commitment to develop an upgrade plan to bring all of the Bruce Highway up to safety standards – the very outcome sought by the Help Our Highway campaign run this year by The Courier-Mail and supported by our sister mastheads across regional Queensland.

Another promise – to use the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games as the catalyst and deadline for “transformative transport projects” – was also welcome, as was the clear acknowledgment of the need to use the excuse of the Games “to facilitate the best possible plans and infrastructure, because the event will be a showcase for the state around the world”. As the government gets set to announce its 100-day infrastructure review, this is an encouraging indicator. The Courier-Mail’s Future Brisbane series each year is designed to ensure the focus remains on legacy.

We wish the new premier every success in his attempts to deliver on all of this. But we also urge him to learn the lessons of history and not rush at the gate; to think things through, and to ensure that well-intentioned policies are not derailed by unintended consequences.

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Chris Jones, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details here