LNP confirm halt to Queensland-wide engine immobiliser scheme

The Crisafulli Government has sensationally confirmed that it has halted a statewide rollout of the engine immobiliser scheme trialled in North Queensland.

Police Minister Dan Purdie has confirmed that it is halting a statewide rollout of the engine immobiliser scheme trialled in North Queensland, blasting the scheme as “another costly Labor failure”. Picture: John Gass

A statewide rollout of the engine immobiliser scheme trialled in North Queensland has sensationally been dumped amid claims it was ineffective, the Crisafulli Government has confirmed.

Police Minister Dan Purdie blasted the trial as “another costly Labor failure, created to cover up the Youth Crime Crisis”.

“The trial was completed and ceased under the former government,” he said on Friday.

“The Queensland Police Service conducted an evaluation of the Immobiliser Trial in Cairns, Townsville and Mt Isa and found it to be ineffective.”

Mr Purdie said the review found that the immobilisers had no impact on car theft rates during the trial period.

“On recommendation from the QPS, the government will reallocate the remaining $4.5 million to other crime-prevention programs,” he said.

“Once again, Labor is more interested in its Band-Aid solutions then evidence-based methods to solve the Youth Crime Crisis that they created”.

Accessory fitter Cruz Hale fits an engine immobiliser at 4WD Central in Garbutt. Picture: Evan Morgan

Queensland Police Union President Shane Prior said in September last year that it was delighted with the results of the trial that allowed for a $500 subsidy to have an immobiliser fitted by an approved installer.

Former Police Minister Mark Ryan said in September last year that the trial had been so successful that it would be rolled out across Queensland in January.

Shadow Police Minister Glenn Butcher says even considering axing the successful scheme is a backward step. Picture: David Clark

The LNP, however, said on Friday that there were “several instances” where vehicles fitted with the immobilisers were stolen.

“There are risks associated with the subsidy initiative that includes immobilisers being used as a form of coercive control in domestic violence incidents, and also the potential increase in violence in vehicle theft to gain access to the secure codes,” a spokesperson said.

The code-safe engine immobiliser. Picture: Shae Beplate

The LNP’s newly revealed stance follows a response by Mr Purdie to a Question on Notice in which he said that the expansion of the trial was “currently under consideration”.

Shadow Police Minister Glenn Butcher, speaking earlier, said considering axing the scheme’s expansion was a “backward step”.

“Especially when you consider that police say not a single vehicle fitted with such a device has been stolen,” he said.

“And with car theft increasing in Townsville under the Crisafulli Government, the need for successful schemes like the immobiliser trial is greater than ever.”

Mr Butcher said that to axe the expansion of the immobiliser trial would be “incredibly shortsighted”.

“The Crisafulli LNP Government’s review of the expansion of this scheme highlights the hollowness of David Crisafulli’s commitment to fighting crime.”

He said Queenslanders were learning that “nothing is safe from the Crisafulli Government’s scalpel”.

“First came the big cuts to health services and now the successful immobiliser scheme that protects car owners from theft is up in the air.”

Despite new ‘Adult crime, adult time’ laws to hold youth criminal accountable, crime in Townsville continues to climb.

Originally published as LNP confirm halt to Queensland-wide engine immobiliser scheme