Karl Stefanovic slams Qld premier Annastacia Palaszczuk over youth crime crisis
Today Show host Karl Stefanovic has slammed the Premier for using her media team to “hide, avoid and distract” after she dodged angry victims rallying outside parliament.
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Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has been accused of “running scared” and questioned whether she has the “ticker for the job” after she refused to meet with angry crime victims rallying outside parliament.
Just 24 hours after the massive rally, demanding action on the escalating youth crime crisis, the Premier was slammed on the Today Show.
Host Karl Stefanovic launched a scathing attack on Ms Palaszczuk, asking straight up whether she still had the ticker for the job, to which she replied, “absolutely”.
Stefanovic pushed the Premier on why she didn’t just walk outside and speak with angry victims who were chanting her name.
“These victims yesterday were literally chanting your name. You were once the voice of the people,” he said
“Nothing would have stopped you from going outside. What stopped you yesterday?”
Ms Palaszczuk said it was a “parliament day” and was “very busy”, before claiming she preferred to operate in private.
“People know me and I meet with people in private … I meet with victims across the state, but I don’t do it with a TV camera in the room,” she said.
“These are very deeply personal stories for people, they get very upset.
“That's why we are fast tracking the appointment of a victims commissioner, we will have an interim victims commissioner in place by next week.
“I meet with people all the time that share their personal stories. Yes, I did meet with someone who lost a loved one. Yes, I sat there over a cup of tea and we talked about it. That is the way I conduct myself. And the people in Queensland know me”
Tensions heightened when Stefanovic spotlighted a discreet meeting between the Premier and Lee Lovell, the bereaved husband of Emma Lovell, a Brisbane mother-of-two tragically killed in a home invasion last Boxing Day.
“He had no idea he was going to meet you. Why was it done under cloak and dagger secrecy..?” Stefanovic demanded.
“That’s not correct,” the Premier said.
“It is correct, it’s what he says,” Stefanovic responded.
The Premier then pointed a finger at a local MP, stating he mistakenly informed Mr Lovell he’d be meeting with a lawyer rather than her.
“The local member has apologised,” Ms Palaszczuk said
Stefanovic continued his relentless hammering suggesting the Premier was using her media team to hide.
“The perception Premier is that you are running scared, and using your substantial media team to hide, avoid and distract, is that’s what happening?,” Stefanovic said.
“I am here, speaking with you, aren’t I, Karl?” Ms Palaszczuk said.
Stefanovic slammed the state’s recent changes to youth crime laws.
“It’s not working. Seven out of 10 are reoffending, it’s just not working,” he said.
“No your facts are incorrect,” the Premier said.
“Queensland is the only state that has (laws around) serious repeat offenders, it’s a declaration … we have the toughest laws in the country.”
Stefanovic, unswayed, said there were literally husbands who had lost their wives and asked how many more people had to die.
The Premier said the laws had been put in place and were working.
“The laws are working … Parental responsibility also plays a role … victims I am speaking to are saying to me, ‘where are the parents?’,” she said.
As discussions on law changes to allow police watch houses as youth detention centres surface, overriding the Human Rights Act, Stefanovic probed if these were mere “bandaid” fixes. “How long before they’re filled?” he asked.
The Premier replied, emphasising the nationwide nature of the crime issue, “Crime is rampant everywhere – be it Victoria, Sydney or here in Queensland. Our focus is on equipping our police with the necessary resources.”
“It’s formally a process that’s been in operation for 30 years. Let’s be very clear here. There’s crime happening right across the country,” she said.
Doing the morning TV rounds, the Premier also spoke with Sunrise’s Matt Shirvington, also explaining her decision to avoid public meetings.
“I always undertake meeting people in private, away from the public eye and television cameras,” she clarified.
Reacting to the public’s growing concern, evidenced by community residents’ night patrols and rallies, the Premier spotlighted her government’s initiatives.
“Well, that’s why we’ve invested over $1.4 billion. We have our 10 Point Plan, we’ve increased the penalties. And just yesterday the Police Minister and police commissioner just announced a Flying Squad,” she said.
This squad enables police officers and youth justice workers to be deployed anywhere in the state to tackle youth crime spikes.
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