What you said about David Crisafulli’s youth crime pledge

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli has vowed to get tougher on young criminals – but has he gone far enough? HAVE YOUR SAY

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli has vowed to get tougher on young criminals – but has he gone far enough?

That question was asked by many after Mr Crisafulli used his speech to the LNP State Convention on Sunday to reveal his government would change the law to ensure youth committing serious crime including murder, manslaughter, grievous bodily harm and dangerous operation and unlawful use of a motor vehicle would be sentenced as adults.

Have your say in our poll below >>>

Taking aim at the government’s record on crime, Mr Crisafulli declared the “generation of untouchables must end”.

“If you make the choice to commit adult crimes, you should know we have made the choice to ensure there are consequences for that behaviour,” he said.

“We will restore consequences for actions for young criminals – adult crime, adult time.”

Speaking on TV on Monday, Mr Crisafulli said a push for tougher sentencing for young criminals would “act as a deterrent” and curb youth crime in Queensland.

Queensland Opposition Leader David Crisafulli. Picture: Dan Peled / NewsWire

University of Southern Queensland Criminologist Dr Suzanne Reich however, slammed the policy as unjust and a waste of money that would only lead to more crime.

Readers were quick to join the debate.

Some claimed it was about time we got tough on youth crime – but we could still go further.

Others insisted Mr Crisafulli could say whatever he liked but it would come down to the judiciary to make the final judgments.

See what you had to say below and join the conversation >>>

WHAT YOU SAID

Go even further

paul

Protect the citizens first. Then work out how to fix the problem

Lester

Publicly name and shame them regardless of age, maybe bring back the cane. Singapore still uses it, rather effective to deter crime

David

The mention of the advice of the experts by Miles and Co has worn a bit thin. It’s the experts that have helped cause the problem now faced by many in this country. They are all experts in theory but in the real life they suck. Have one system for all and not a race divided system that some are asking for.

Sheri

Juveniles should have lengthy sentences, and they should also get rehabilitated while in prison – punishment without rehabilitation might mean they never change, but if they get insight into a better way of life, then this will help them, as well as society, long term.

Lee

Not long ago lots of kids left school at 15, took up apprenticeships and saved for a future. It’s easy to look at the age of many child criminals now and think “they’re so young” (I have been), but that reduces expectations of them and their behaviour.

Dennis

Life sentences in Australia typically range from 10 years up to 25 years, while for particularly heinous crimes, a life without parole may be imposed. In the UK, you’re given a life sentence it will last for the rest of your life. If you’re ever released from prison, you will spend the rest of your life ‘on licence’ in the community. If you break licence conditions or commit another crime, you can be sent back to prison with no paroled.

Won’t work

Vivien

Regardless of what he promises, he doesn’t give the sentences. He’ll blame the courts when his promises are broken.

Steve

Just have to ensure that the judges give these sentences out

Pieeater

The people criticising this are the same people who are responsible for the current mess. Just get out of the way, your systems and ideas have failed.

Carole

Where will they go? To the big house or the detention motels where they go for a holiday now.

Christoph

This all sounds good in theory, however it would still be up to the courts as to what punishment they receive on the day and not Government of the day.

Ron

I can’t see the Judiciary giving life sentences or extremely lengthy sentences to 9–14-year-olds as they only seem to get bail time and again. There will have to be many youth detention centres built asap.

About time, David

nottoowoke

Great to see the end of Qld labor and its union control!

Ian

AT Last!!! And I don’t mean a few steps towards addressing the youth crime crisis – I mean AT LAST – Crisafulli is actually saying something. Now perhaps, we will start to get an idea of what he might be like IF he becomes Premier – but at least this is a good start. Who knows, he might even make a politician one day!

The Fred

Will Crisafulli be addressing any other problems APART from youth crime, budgets for example never ever gets a mention for some reason

John

For months now everyone has been saying it’s time the LNP started to articulate its policies. Now you have an articulated policy and we see a lot of comments below (obviously Labor/union lackeys) all saying why it won’t work. One thing is for sure. Every Labor ministry is a mess. It will take time to clean this up. And the LNP better have a plan to make it work.

Jim Carner

Why does the City of Canberra/ACT have the lowest youth crime data, and the highest placed NAPLAN results in Australia? Because the joint is full of Greenies, ALP latte sipping academics and useless public servants! Maybe Crisafulli should fly down for a fact finding mission?