Youth crime Qld: Angus Beaumont’s father slams minister reshuffle

The father of a teenager murdered by two youths has blasted Queensland’s ministerial reshuffle, saying nothing will change.

The father of murdered teen Angus Beaumont has slammed Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s recent ministerial reshuffle, saying the government must “think we’re idiots” if they believed victims would believe it would help fix the state’s youth crime crisis.

Ben Beaumont’s son was only 15 when he was fatally stabbed by two 14-year-olds in a Redcliffe park in 2020, with the duo – who were exposed in court as repeat offenders – jailed last October.

Last week, after facing sustained pressure in key portfolio areas, Ms Palaszczuk made a number of changes, including punting youth justice minister Leanne Linard from the high-profile role to environment minister.

Small business minister Di Farmer was handed back the youth justice portfolio after previously serving in it from 2017-20, while Yvette D’Ath was returned as Attorney-General.

But Mr Beaumont, who has been a strong public advocate for victims of youth crime since Angus’ death, said he had no faith the system would be improved anytime soon under the changes.

Angus Beaumont’s parents Michelle Liddle and Ben Beaumont at Parliament House

“Yvette D’Ath and Di Farmer were in charge when they changed the law that let young grubs like these back on the streets,” Mr Beaumont said.

“The system is an absolute joke, and the government must think we’re all idiots if they think we’re going to have any confidence that their reshuffle will have any impact on the youth crime crisis.”

LNP Member for Ninderry and former cop Dan Purdie sponsored a petition from the Beaumont family calling for legislative amendments – proposed as Angus’ Legislation – tabled in parliament this week.

The petition has received more than 7000 signatures, and calls for law changes to ensure “no bail for violent offenders; create breach of bail as an offence; ensure repeat offenders face adult standards of law; removal of the ability to order concurrent sentences; and ensure victims and families receive all information on offenders”. “In 2015 Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath started watering down the youth justice laws which has resulted in the youth crime crisis that is currently gripping our state,” Mr Purdie said.

“Under the current laws, young repeat violent offenders are able to walk away from their crimes with little more than a slap on the wrist.

“There’s no punishment, no consequences for actions, and innocent Queenslanders like the Beaumont family are paying the ultimate price.”