Opposition calls on State Government to toughen youth justice laws after fatal crash

More blood will be spilt at the hands of juveniles in alleged stolen cars if drastic changes aren’t made, the Opposition says.

More blood will be spilt at the hands of juveniles in stolen cars if the state government does not make drastic law changes to protect the community, the Opposition have claimed.

It comes after Hemmant man, Michael Warburton, 59, became the fifth Queenslander to die in less than two years after being the victim of a crash involving juveniles in allegedly stolen vehicles.

Opposition leader David Crisafulli predicted his death would happen, and said it would keep happening if stronger laws against young offenders were not immediately legislated.

“We are going to be back here again,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“Sorrow and anger is only part of the solution, legislative change is needed today and we can’t keep going through this.”

Michael Warburton, who was killed in the crash at Wynnum West on Monday.

Mr Warburton, a beloved dad and husband, was struck by an allegedly stolen car full of teenagers at Wynnum West on Monday morning, while riding his Vespa.

Sadly, Mr Warburton died a few hours later, and joined Jennifer Board, Matthew Field, Kate Leadbetter, and her unborn child as the state’s most recent fatal victims of alleged juvenile crime.

Two teens, aged 14 and 15, have been charged over the crash which caused Mr Warburton’s death, while another two passengers have been charged with other offences.

The Vespa Mr Warburton was riding before the crash. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Opposition spokesman for Police and former police officer Dale Last said enough was enough.

“Enough blood has been spilt and enough damage has been done,” Mr Last said.

“What we are seeing across this state is a symptom of a broken government that is absolutely clueless when it comes to addressing crime.”

“Labor MP’s ridiculed me for predicting that lives would be lost. Unfortunately those predictions have become reality and it’s about time that the Labor MP’s pull their heads out of the sand, stand up for the people they represent and take action.”

The SUV involved in the Wynnum crash. Picture: Steve Pohlner

The state government made a raft of changes to youth justice laws in 2021 after the deaths of Jennifer Board in Townsville, and Matthew Field, Kate Leadbetter and their unborn son in Alexandra Hills.

Jennifer Board, 22, was killed in 2021.

Mr Field and Ms Leadbetter were struck by a stolen vehicle driven by a juvenile while walking their dogs on Australia Day. A 17-year-old boy was sentenced to six years’ jail over their deaths.

The tragic deaths sparked mass uproar in both communities who demanded the state government step in to stop another senseless death happening.

Matt Field, Kate Leadbetter and their unborn child died in January 2021. Picture: Supplied by Queensland Police

In February last year the government announced a series of amendments aimed at tightening bail laws, including creating a presumption against bail and seeking the assurance of a parent before releasing a juvenile on bail.

A GPS tracker trial for specific offenders and a dedicated Youth Justice Taskforce were also established.

But some of the measures have come under fire after it was revealed just a handful of children were fitted with GPS devices during a six-month trial, and juvenile crime continued to wreak havoc throughout many communities.

The car involved in the deaths of Matt Field, Kate Leadbetter and their unborn child in 2021. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Former Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson has since undertaken a review of the changes but the state government has refused to release the findings.

Bond University criminologist Terry Goldsworthy questioned what the government had to hide in that review.

“If it’s been done, in the name of good government, and transparency, it should be released,” Mr Goldsworthy said.

“There’s only one reason they’ve not released it.”

Mr Crisafulli said innocent people had become “collateral damage” of failing laws and demanded more to be done to protect the community.

“We have a generation of young offenders who realise the system is broken so they can go about their way,” Mr Crisafulli said.

Queensland Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

But Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said the problem started in the courthouse, and engine immobilisers needed to be rolled out across the country.

“What we’re starting to see with these juveniles, continuing to commit very serious crimes who are out in the community, (is) they need to be held to account,” Mr Leavers said.

“And it’s about time the judiciary stepped up to the mark and did their job.

“These recidivist offenders who put the safety of all those in the community at risk should be kept in custody.”

Deputy Premier Steven Miles addressed the youth crime issues at press conference on Tuesday, saying his government had spent plenty of money trying to fix the issues.

“We have seen consistent and significant investment into increasing our juvenile justice system and supporting our police,” Mr Miles said.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles. Picture: David Clark

“The vast bulk of youth offenders do not reoffend so the system is effective with those offenders. We will continue to take the advice of our police to address reoffending.”

Although, Youth Justice minister Leanne Linard said more needed to be done.

“ … we know that more work needs to be done to target the small cohort of repeat young offenders who are in some cases committing more offences, especially vehicle theft,” Ms Linard said.

“Evidence tells us there are clear connections between youth crime and childhood trauma, family violence, drug and alcohol abuse, untreated mental health issues and inconsistent schooling.

“This doesn’t excuse their behaviour; however, these problems often represent the underlying causes of their offending, which is why we are focused on long-term reforms to break the cycle.”