LNP slams plan to serve community based sentences interstate

The LNP has warned that new laws, that allow interstate offenders to serve out community-based sentences including probation, drug and alcohol treatment and more in Queensland, will turn the state into a “dumping ground for crims”.

THE LNP has warned Queensland could become a “dumping ground for crims” under new laws that will formalise arrangements for offenders to serve out community based sentences interstate.

But Corrections Minister Mark Ryan has rubbished the suggestion, insisting Queensland will still get the final say as to which offenders the State accepts and rejects.

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The new legislation, which quietly passed state parliament last month, will see Queensland join a formalised national framework that will allow offenders sentenced to community orders to serve out their time in another state.

Probation, graffiti removal, drug and alcohol treatment, community service, and intensive correction orders are all among the community based sentences that could be transferred under the scheme.

Corrections Minister Mark Ryan. Picture: Annette Dew

Deputy LNP leader Tim Mander. Picture: Peter Carruthers

Once transferred to another jurisdiction, the offender will become the responsibility of the state where they have moved to.

Mr Ryan claimed that the number of interstate offenders supervised by Queensland Corrective Services under the current informal arrangements was nearly half the number supervised in other states.

“That means we export more community offenders than we import.

“Under this legislation, Queensland decides which community offenders we accept, and which ones we reject. We have the final say.

Deputy LNP leader Tim Mander said Labor should not using Queensland a dumping ground for criminals.