Wide Bay Burnett stats - Crisafulli calls for action on youth crime in Qld

The Opposition has called for tougher laws to curb escalating youth crime across regional Queensland, including the Wide Bay Burnett where car theft and burglaries are more likely to occur than on the Sunshine Coast.

Youth Justice Minister Leanne Linard said the state government was listening to the community on youth crime, after calls by the Opposition's David Crisafulli for tougher laws.

Queensland Opposition Leader David Crisafulli is calling for drastic law changes to curb youth crime as his office revealed the numbers of three types of offences in the Wide Bay Burnett in February 2023.

The startling figures reveal 2.2 cars were reported stolen each day across the Wide Bay Burnett last month.

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In January 2023, the region, which has a population of 310,728, recorded 82 unlawful use of motor vehicle offences, 207 unlawful entries and 586 other thefts.

In comparison, the Sunshine Coast District, which has a similar population size, recorded 69 unlawful uses of motor vehicles, 149 unlawful entries and 628 other thefts.

Mr Crisafulli said Queenslanders were having their lives turned upside-down by crime.

“We‘ve been leading this conversation from opposition and the fact that our resolution of breach of bail has been adopted is a small step forward, but we need consequences for action, we need to unshackle the judiciary and remove detention as a last resort and we need gold standard early intervention if we are to... protect Queenslanders,” he said.

“It‘s now over two months since we called for parliament to be resumed.

Queensland Youth Justice Minister Leanne Linard says there is no silver bullet to solving youth crime, but says the state is doing all it can to try.

“Think of those Queenslanders who‘ve had their lives turned upside down just think what could have happened if we had repaired the broken youth justice act at the start of the year when others were on holidays.”

Youth Justice Minister Leanne Linard said the state government was listening to the community on youth crime.

“Legislation will be debated in Parliament this week which contains a comprehensive suite of measures to further target serious repeat offenders, continue to tackle the complex causes of youth crime and enhance community safety,” she said.

“Amongst other things, we will make breaching a condition of bail a criminal offence for young offenders and we will increasing the maximum penalty for unlawful use of a motor vehicle from seven years to 10 years’ imprisonment.

“The government’s Bill will also compel the courts to ensure community safety is paramount and take previous offending history into account while also considering the circumstances of any crime.”

Ms Linard said money was also being channeled into tackling the problem.

“The Premier has also announced more than $100 million in additional funds would be invested into programs proven to make a difference and break the cycle of youth crime,” she said.

“This includes expanding intensive case management, youth co-responder teams and our Stronger Communities initiatives.

“We will also make further investments in On Country programs and grassroots early intervention.

“These new initiatives build on the $800 million investment the Government has already made in responding to youth crime and tackling its complex causes to help break the cycle of offending for the future. We know there is no quick fix, no silver bullet to fix youth crime but we also know these initiatives are working.”