The death of Emma Lovell must lead to change

The words of Lee Lovell must resonate with the new Queensland government, writes the editor.

Lee Lovell. Photo Steve Pohlner

The harrowing words of Lee Lovell should be all the motivation the new government needs to finally bring crime under control in this state.

The man who tragically found himself the face of Queensland’s youth crime crisis admits, after almost two years, that he is a broken man.

Mr Lovell has been forced to deal with a system that has, for too long, prioritised alleged criminals over victims.

On Boxing Day 2022, Lee’s wife Emma was stabbed to death on the front lawn of their home in an altercation with two armed teens. The tragedy put him front and centre to advocate for change.

“I thought we could push for change or get that message out there a bit more so someone else didn’t have to go through that,” he says. “I just don’t think whatever I’ve done has (worked).”

Mr Lovell now believes he has let his wife down after a teenager was found not guilty of her murder this week.

He has not let her down – successive governments have – and it is time to fix it.

New Premier David Crisafulli has vowed to bring in new legislation, including “adult crime, adult time”, by the end of the year.

While that may not have made a difference in the Lovells’ case, he must stick to his promise after essentially receiving a mandate from voters to do so.

He must also follow through with his plans for rehabilitation of youth offenders, with multiple experts pointing out it is imperative to get that right. It is disappointing he has already walked back the most strident promise of his campaign – to not seek re-election in 2028 if he does not bring victim crime numbers down.

Now, he insists, that number will be tied to population growth – essentially giving him an out if the numbers aren’t technically driven down during this term.

We would encourage him to have the conviction to stand by the original promise, and also recommit to adopting the former government’s pledge to publish key performance indicators experts say are crucial to driving down teen crime.

Following the Enough is Enough campaign, run by every daily newspaper in Queensland, the then-Palaszczuk government said it would publish the rate of youth reoffending, Indigenous young people in detention and the proportion of serious repeat offenders – with the goal of driving these numbers down.

Mr Crisafulli at the time agreed to “ commit to do those three, as well as others”.

“But I think the point of difference that shows we are fair dinkum – my commitment is to have it done with a central minister for open data,” he said.

He appointed that minister on Friday – Steve Minnikin.

Having the data openly available gives the government a benchmark to be held accountable on.

Queenslanders don’t want another family to have to go through the pain the Lovells have endured. Enough really is enough.

High cost of wait for cancer treatment

In the words of oncologist John Zalcberg, “cancer doesn’t wait” for the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.

But anyone would think the committee does believe cancer will wait, given its refusal to approve a lifesaving immunotherapy treatment for multiple cancer types at a time.

Instead, it is taking on average 447 days to approve Keytruda for each cancer type.

The result? Some people, such as Byron Bay woman Natalie Willacy, are paying $8000 each time they need the treatment, which is about every six weeks.

The irony is if Ms Willacy’s cancer had been located 12cm higher in her breast, she would not have to pay.

It’s madness. And as Professor Zalcberg also points out, it’s a life or death situation.

Australians should not be dying before they can receive cutting-edge – and ultimately lifesaving – medical treatment.

And they shouldn’t be forced to choose between financial security for themselves and their families, and almost certain death.

Common sense must prevail.

Health Minister Mark Butler is seeking an update next week.

Let’s hope it’s good news for rare cancer sufferers.

If not, Mr Butler must step in.