Mackay MP slams lack of action over youth crime epidemic, following terrifying spate of offences

A Mackay politician is pushing for parliament to be recalled, claiming people in his electorate are ‘essentially prisoners in their own homes’ in the wake of a youth crime epidemic.

A person has died in a two vehicle crash along the Bruce Highway at Bloomsbury on February 1, 2023. Picture: Heidi Petith

A Mackay politician is pushing for parliament to be recalled in the wake of what he labelled a “youth crime epidemic”, after a number of school students were nearly struck by a stolen vehicle less than 12 hours before a young man died in a fatal crash also involving a stolen SUV.

The Mackay Christian College students were nearby when a stolen Toyota Corolla crashed near a bus stop at Glenpark St and Ambrose Way about 8am Wednesday.

Detective Acting Inspector Chris Eaton said the male driver fled the scene before stealing another vehicle, a green Nissan Patrol, from Moffatt St.

That car was later found dumped on Glenpark St.

This incident occurred just 10 hours before a fatal crash on the Bruce Highway.

Tiege Close, 20, died when the stolen blue ASX wagon he was driving crashed head-on with a B-double at Bloomsbury about 6.05pm at Bloomsbury, north of Mackay.

It is understood his vehicle crossed into the oncoming traffic lane. The highway was closed for several hours as a result of the crash, which damaged the roadway.

The blue SUV stolen from Mount Pleasant and involved in a fatal crash killing the driver on February 1, 2023.

Inspector Eaton confirmed the SUV had been stolen from a Mount Pleasant address on January 31 and was one of a number of vehicles pinched that night – officers are investigating if the thefts are linked.

Police are calling for dashcam footage and information in relation to the separate incidents.

Dawson MP Andrew Willcox is now pushing for parliament to be recalled immediately in the wake of a “youth crime epidemic” in Central and North Queensland.

He said Mackay Christian College had suffered first-hand “with students almost being run over by an out of control stolen vehicle”.

Mackay Christian College principal Barclie Gallogray and Andrew Willcox speaking about stolen cars in the Mackay region.

“I am standing with Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli to recall parliament now,” Mr Willcox said, calling for Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert to “start listening to the peoples’ cries for help rather than toeing the party line”.

“Our people can’t wait until the 21st for state parliament to return.”

Mr Willcox said in Mackay and Townsville young people breaking into people’s homes had “become an everyday occurrence”.

“And those criminals are now moving into our smaller towns of Dawson,” Mr Wilcox said.

“A young restaurateur and takeaway owner in Bowen was robbed at knifepoint.

“And a stolen farm truck was hooned around town before being set alight in the local river.”

“The people of Dawson are living in fear and are essentially prisoners in their own homes.

Ms Gilbert was contacted for comment but did not respond in time for publication.