Next steps in juvenile justice fight announced in Hervey Bay
The Premier today promised Hervey Bay and Maryborough - two epicentres of Qld’s youth crime crisis - he was ‘throwing the kitchen sink’ at the issue that had left multiple beloved members of their communities dead in the past year.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Premier David Crisafulli travelled to Hervey Bay on Wednesday, one of the epicentres of the state’s youth crime crisis, to announce key developments in the Queensland government’s juvenile justice programs.
Mr Crisafulli and Youth Justice and Victim Support Minister Laura Gerber addressed the media ahead of a youth crime regional stakeholder information session in the Hervey Bay Community Centre.
New LNP MPs for Hervey Bay and Maryborough - David Lee and John Barounis - were present.
Youth crime on the Fraser Coast has reached devastating heights in recent years, with crimes like the killing of Uber driver Scott Cabrie in Howard in February 2023 and the death of three women in a horror crash in Maryborough involving a 13-year-old driver in a stolen car, leaving the community traumatised.
Twelve stakeholder sessions will be held across Queensland to outline the first stage of the tender process for early intervention and rehabilitation programs for youth criminals.
Mr Crisafulli said the Staying on Track program would deliver a 12-month rehabilitation program post-detention for youth, including at least six months’ intensive support to reintegrate them into the community and stop them falling into a cycle of repeat crime, with the aim of driving down the state’s 91 per cent recidivism rates.
The Regional Reset program will deliver nine early intervention residential programs with a one to three week reset for those demonstrating high-risk behaviours including substance abuse, aggression, or truancy, providing youth with the skills to divert from crime before they become serious repeat offenders.
The state government was taking on the “generation of untouchables” that had plagued communities in Queensland and they were “throwing the kitchen sink” at the issue, the Premier said.
He said he would be taking a “zero tolerance” approach towards youth crime, promising the new laws would mean less crime and fewer victims.
“These new programs are about pushing the reset button on young lives and providing them with the life skills, education, and support to turn towards a brighter future,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“Early intervention isn’t a one size fits all, but Regional Reset will extend a helping hand to troubled kids and pull them off the trajectory they’re currently on.
“While it will take time to break the cycle of crime, Staying on Track will deliver critical rehabilitation after detention, turning kids away from crime and reverting to their old ways.
“After 10 years of decline there is no overnight silver bullet but we won’t stop until there are fewer victims in Queensland.
“With early intervention and rehabilitation we can start to turn the tide on youth crime and start to make our community safer.”
Ms Gerber said the briefing sessions are an important step to inform stakeholders on the initiatives and to seek feedback on the programs.
“Queenslanders were promised action to address youth crime in the first 100-days in Government, and we are delivering on that commitment,” Minister Gerber said.
“These programs are aimed at intervening in kids’ lives before they’re hardened criminals, to provide them with the support to get back on the right track.
“Reoffending rates have skyrocketed under Labor and these programs will help reduce the cycle of repeat youth offenders and prevent more Queenslanders from becoming victims of crime.
“A youth crime sentence shouldn’t breed better criminals and Staying on Track will give kids leaving detention the support they need to divert them from crime and ensure they have the skills to build a positive future.
“The Regional Reset program is part of the Crisafulli Government’s suite of early intervention measures to give at risk youths the best chance at a brighter future.”
‘Sneak in, trap’: Fresh charges for alleged schoolgirl stalker
A young Qld man, previously bailed after allegedly being caught with folders containing photos and addresses of schoolgirls, faces multiple new charges.
Couple charged with fraud and stealing property worth more than $5k
Maryborough parents face court on the same day on charges of fraud, stealing property worth more than $5000 and receiving tainted property.