Editorial: Premier vowed to listen to the experts – will he?

For the human rights of children, the government’s response to crime must be evidence-based, writes the editor.

Premier David Crisafulli last week. Picture: Glenn Campbell/NCA NewsWire

During the state election campaign, David Crisafulli promised to govern with stability and listen to experts when it came to policymaking.

How then, will his LNP-aligned parliamentary committee recommend the government progress with its flagship Making Queensland Safer laws?

As the cornerstone of its successful election campaign, the LNP government has a mandate to push through the significant change to the Youth Justice Act that will also overhaul sentencing principles to make the rights of a victim paramount.

Experts from the legal fraternity, child safety and human rights spaces, however, were unified in their withering criticism of the proposal during Monday’s committee hearing.

They pointed out the lack of evidence used to craft the laws and said locking more children up would make Queensland less safe.

It would also disproportionately target First Nations and vulnerable children while doing little to rehabilitate offenders from the entrenched life of crime.

There’s no doubt Queenslanders are tired of the revolving door of serious young offenders wreaking havoc on the community without fear of consequence.

Reducing the number of victims is a pledge Mr Crisafulli will live or die by politically.

For this and, more importantly, the human rights of children, the government’s response to crime must be evidence-based.

VETERANS DESERVE SUPPORT

Australia has a proud military history, but our nation also had a shameful record of abandoning our best and bravest when they leave the military.

Between 1997 and 2021, there were 1677 confirmed suicides among serving or ex-serving members, a death rate some 20 times higher than those who lost their lives in combat.

The issue was highlighted by The Courier-Mail through our Save Our Heroes campaign, telling the stories of Diggers who took their own lives, and their families’ desperate search for answers.

The campaign called for a royal commission into the issue and was successful.

Yesterday the Albanese government accepted 104 of the 122 royal commission recommendations, including the key one – to create a permanent and independent body to oversee the cultural and systemic changes needed to address the horror rates of suicide among defence personnel and veterans.

The government has not only agreed to legislate the new body by September next year, but will also appoint an interim head “as soon as possible” to get work started.

It means this government, and those that follow, will be held to account from day one.

The Prime Minister said Australia’s veterans “put themselves on the line” and were owed “more than sentiment” for their sacrifices.

“Every death by suicide is a tragedy,” he said.

“We can’t bring back those that we’ve lost, but we can fight to stem this terrible epidemic and we can strive to bring it to an end.”

The new independent body will be a constant champion when it comes to ensuring action on issues like an independent inquiry into sexual misconduct in the military, helping Defence personnel transition to civilian life, slashing compensation claim red tape and addressing problematic culture right up to leadership level.

Crucially, the new body can also elevate issues the government is perceived to be ignoring or avoiding.

As a nation we have too often failed our countrymen and women who have put themselves in danger in our names.

From the legless Diggers forced to beg on the streets after the Great War, to those who were abused when they returned from Vietnam, to recent veterans accused of war crimes, and of course those suffering in silence with PTSD, we have a duty of care that will never end.

Australians who serve deserve the continued admiration and support of the nation. It’s not enough to merely say “we’ve got your back”.

It’s not good enough to just wave the flag on Anzac Day. Care and support for our veterans must be available for 365 days of the year. And for every year into the future.

As we did with the Save Our Heroes campaign, we promise to continue to advocate on their behalf, making sure the systems put in place to address the issue of suicide are working.

Ultimately the key metric for government will be in the data – Australia must reduce the shocking rates of suicide among veterans and ADF personnel – and with permanent oversight there is a much greater chance of success.

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Open Arms: 1800 011 046

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