Maryborough MP Bruce Saunders speaks out on horror triple fatal

Maryborough’s MP has called for an inquiry into his government’s own Youth Justice Minister, her department and the judiciary as he fights for new laws to keep young car thieves locked up.

For four days, Maryborough MP Bruce Saunders has been at the centre of a community united by its grief.

The state Labor MP at the helm of a community shattered by a triple fatal crash, allegedly caused by a 13-year-old boy, has called for an inquiry into members of his own government and no bail for car thieves.

Speaking exclusively to the Courier Mail, member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders said he wanted an independent probe into Youth Justice Minster Leanne Linard’s actions and the dealings her department and judicial system had with the teenager in the lead up to the crash.

It’s understood Mr Saunders is one of at least four Queensland Labor MPs angered over repeated concerns raised about escalating youth crime in their electorates allegedly falling on deaf ears.

He also wants bail automatically refused for children who steal cars and has thrown his support behind changes proposed by Queensland Police Union Ian Leavers to name and shame child offenders who kill and not to lift the age of criminal responsibility to 14.

For five days, Mr Saunders has been at the coalface of collective grief and outrage after a Maryborough Hospital nurse driving home from her shift and two friends returning from a night at the movies never made it home.

He said he held back from saying anything publicly in the immediate aftermath of the crash, instead working behind the scenes to put counselling services in place for those in need and speaking to police and emergency services.

On Friday however, he said he knew his community was searching for answers as the youth crime crisis continued to explode across the state.

A memorial to the three lives lost in a tragic crash in Maryborough.

He also claimed that long before the crash. which claimed the lives of Michale Chandler, 29, Kelsie Davies, 17 and Sheree Robertson, 52, he fought for tougher penalties for juvenile offenders, with new legislation recently coming into place.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said earlier this week it would take time for those new laws to take effect.
But Mr Saunders said while the Premier was right, tough questions still needed to be asked in the interim of the minister, her department and the courts.

He said he had flagged concerns about youth crime for a long time, with particular emphasis on car thieves.

“It’s really hit home to us in the community with three beautiful people who have lost their lives that these cars are weapons and it’s no different to a man or a woman walking down the street with a loaded rifle,” Mr Saunders said.

“These are weapons in the hands of these young people now and hoons.

“I’ve been concerned about the escalating youth crime.”

It wasn’t petty offences that were concerning but the escalation in severity of the youth crime, he said.

“The nature of the crime changed and that’s what was concerning me.”

While he was adamant about the need to answers within his own government ranks, Mr Saunders backed the Premier, believing the Brisbane-based beauracracy was to blame.

“I think the departments, some of them looking after these juveniles, have lost touch with the community expectations,” he said

“It’s unfair to keep blaming the Premier as a lot of people are doing.

“We’ve got the laws in place now, we’ve enacted the laws, we’ve got the bail fixed up.

“We’ve got to start looking at some of the departments and the judiciary.”

Fraser Coast nurse Sheree Robertson, Reach Church pastor Michale Chandler and teen Kelsie Davies were killed in the horror crash in Maryborough.

Minister Linard described the crash as a “terrible tragedy” and said her thoughts were with the families and friends of the victims.

However, she said things were “not going to change overnight”, that there was “no silver bullet to eliminating youth crime”.

“Like all Queenslanders, I was shocked and saddened by the incident and I acknowledge the terrible effect it has had on the Maryborough community,” Ms Linard said

“Like all Queenslanders I am concerned about youth crime.

“That’s why I am working as part of the government to implement laws and initiatives to respond to it.

“The government has continually listened to the community and acted.

“Just weeks ago and with bipartisan support, we implemented a comprehensive suite of measures aimed at targeting serious repeat offenders, tackling the complex causes of youth crime and supporting community safety, including an additional $100 million for diversion and rehabilitation programs proven to tackle the complex causes of crime.”

Maryborough MP Bruce Saunders.

The 13-year-old was in government care in the lead up to the crash.

Mr Saunders said the youth justice minister, department and family services had questions to answer about “what happened in my community”.

“We’ve lost three great members of our community,” he said

“Why was he wandering around and mixing with known offenders in our community?

“Our community needs to know. We have a right to know.”

Ms Linard said Mr Saunders was a “passionate advocate for his community and I know that when Maryborough is hurting, so is Bruce”.

“I have spoken with Bruce since the incident and will continue to engage with him on any issues he has as well as any genuine solutions he wants to put forward,” she said

Counselling is being offered at Maryborough Neighbourhood Centre in Ellena St for anyone struggling in the aftermath of the crash.

Mr Saunders said while the community was grieving, it would heal “but we will never forget.”