Youth Crime Justice Reform committee sets Rockhampton hearing date

Central Queenslanders will get to have their say on the youth crime crisis at a special hearing in Rockhampton at the end of this month.

The Rockhampton community took matters into their own hands against crime in May 2023, led by Torin O'Brien.

Central Queenslanders will get to have their say on the youth crime crisis at a special hearing in Rockhampton at the end of this month.

The Queensland Parliament’s Youth Justice Reform Select Committee, established in October 2023, has announced a regional hearing in Rockhampton.

Last month, when the committee announced the dates and locations of regional hearings in Queensland, there were none set for any locations between the Wide Bay region to the Whitsundays region, despite “271 per cent surge in car thefts” and “86 per cent increase in break-ins” since 2015 in Capricornia.

Committee Chair and Noosa MP Sandy Bolton said the committee was keen to hear what those in Central Queensland think will drive down youth offending in their community and provide better support to victims of crime.

Inquiry into Youth JusticeReform in Queensland at Brisbane Parliament - Ms Sandy Bolton MP, Member for Noosa (Chair) Brisbane Thursday 23rd November 2023 Picture David Clark

“Last week, we held the first of our regional hearings in Townsville, Cairns and Mount Isa in response to the identified priorities so far,” Ms Bolton said.

“The insights shared by witnesses were invaluable for informing the committee about the issues facing these communities, and potential actions to these.”

“We know that each community has unique needs and priorities.

“That’s why it is important the committee seek feedback from a number of regions on these priority areas.”

Capricornia MP Michelle Landry is encouraging community organisations to apply for the Community Impact Program under the Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative.

The committee’s lack of Central Queensland hearing date in the January announcement flummoxed Capricornia MP Michelle Landry, with a group of about 100 people roaming the streets between residences in a suburb of Rockhampton and holding a rally in May 2023 to address the youth crime crisis.

“It is noteworthy that a region grappling with some of the highest crime rates in the state has been omitted,” she said.

“The Capricornia region has witnessed a 271 per cent surge in car thefts and an alarming 86 per cent increase in break-ins since 2015.

“The outcry from locals reveals a poignant reality; their voices are being ignored, underscoring the Labor Party’s apparent reluctance to listen and address the concerns of the community.”

Capricornia MP Michelle Landry held a crime forum in Rockhampton with Deputy Opposition Leader Jarrod Bleijie.

Ms Bolton urged people who would like to speak to the committee in Rockhampton, in addition to a submission, to register their interest on the committee’s web page as soon as possible.

Some of the committee’s priority areas include improving support for victims of crime and confidence in the youth justice system, the need for a long-term youth justice strategy, and better early assessment, intervention and prevention.

The committee has agreed to table an interim report in late March and is calling for submissions to inform this report until 10am, March 1, 2024.

Submissions can be made via the committee’s parliamentary web page.

The Rockhampton hearing will take place on February 27 at a location yet to be disclosed.

The website for individuals to register their interest in attending did not have the Rockhampton date as of 3pm on Monday, February 13.

The committee will also hold hearings in Toowoomba, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast in February.