‘Too soft’: Thousands petition for stricter laws after Alexandra Hills tragedy

In less than 24 hours tens of thousands of outraged community members have signed a petition calling for immediate action to tighten up Queensland’s Youth Justice Act.

More than 80,000 people have signed a petition calling for change to Queensland’s Youth Justice Act following the tragic deaths of Matty Field, Kate Leadbetter and their unborn baby on Tuesday.

Within just 17 hours, the online petition has garnered the attention and support of tens of thousands of people across the country, as the tragedy turns the attention of the wider community to what could have prevented the heartbreaking loss of three lives.

Addressed to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and minister for Children and Youth Justice, Leanne Linard, the petition calls for “longer penalties for reoffending juveniles,” and “(longer) time in prison with no parole.”

Candlelight vigil for Kate Leadbetter and Matty Field at the intersection of Vienna and Finucane Roads at Alexandra Hills, Wednesday, January 27, 2021 - Picture: Richard Walker

It comes as it was yesterday revealed the 17-year-old allegedly behind the wheel of the car that ploughed into Matty and Kate - pregnant with the couple’s first baby - was out on bail.

The petition was started by a grieving mother, whose only child was killed by a drunk driver just kilometres from the couple’s deaths.

“I believe that if our Youth Justice Act is reformed with longer penalties for reoffending juveniles, and time in prison is longer with no parole given will make a big difference to the decisions these killers make on our roads,” wrote Judy Lindsay, who heads the CARS Road Safety Awareness group after her daughter Hayley Russel’s 2009 death.

“It would have made our communities safer for people like Hayley, Kate, Matty and their unborn child.”

Public comments on the petition went as far as calling for children in future to be sentenced as adults for committing certain crimes.

“The governments need to act on youth crime much more than ever, now,” one supporter wrote.

Faith Lynn sheds a tear at the scene of a crash that killed two pedestrians in Alexandra Hills. on Wednesday, January 27, 2021. Picture, John Gass.

“We are getting far too soft and crimes are not solved by giving them a weak sentence. We must have the sentences for committing certain offences stronger and tougher than ever in all forms of government. No more youth courts, just sentence them all equally just like adults.”

Another supporter wrote: “Youth charges need to be changed now. Enough is enough. No more slaps on the wrist. Lock them all up and take away all privileges.”

The petition, facilitated by Change.org and titled “Clean up Queensland’s Youth Justice Act to take reoffending criminals off the street,’ is calling for 50,000 signatures.

Ms Linday also used the platform to share her own personal story of grief, detailing the tragic circumstances of her daughter’s passing.

“The driver was sentenced to 7.5 years in prison and was eligible for parole after 18mths,” she wrote, before claiming the man responsible went on to commit over 50 new traffic and dangerous driving offences.

The couple killed in Alexandra Hills. Matty Field and Kate Leadbetter. PIc from Facebook

“I believe that if the court system made (him) do all 7.5 years he would have been off the road and not a danger to the community,” Ms Lindsay said.

“Drugged and drunk drivers are going to kill again it is not if, it is when.”