Juvenile crime: Cairns Post readers react to parents ‘failing in their duty of care’

Far North residents have reacted savagely to the perceived neglect from some parents of juvenile crims, with some calling for ‘corporal punishment’ and welfare handouts to be slashed. WHAT YOU SAID

FAR North residents have reacted savagely to the perceived neglect and lack of responsibility from some guardians of juvenile criminals running riot across the city.

Extreme calls to “bring back corporal punishment”, slashing welfare payments and charging “irresponsible parents” have been common themes among Cairns Post readers.

It’s in response to concerns some parents are failing in their duty of care as youth criminals as young as 10 cause havoc on Far North streets.

Centrelink in Cairns. PICTURE: JUSTIN BRIERTY

“(in certain cases) … a kid commits a crime, their parents welfare cheque should be reduced by 50 per cent …(if) they are not doing their jobs as parents,” said Jimmy Ward.

Craig Page suggested the government should “cut dole payments” if found to be neglecting children.

“Bring back corporal punishment. Give the control back to the parents so they can discipline (not abuse) their children, it’s the only solution,” said Suzie Levi.

It follows the death of 14-year-old boy Bradley Smith earlier this week, who was a passenger in an alleged stolen car filled with six underage teens when it crashed in Manoora.

He died at the scene.

The child safety and police Minister arrived in Cairns today to discuss the boiling issue.

Some readers suggested politicians were only addressing the concerns because of the upcoming election.

A stolen car from Gordonvale found in Woree four days later with its tyres blown out. Picture: Marc McCormack

“Pollies arrive in cairns- meet behind closed doors, do some media and fly out to Brisbane Friday morning without meeting any of the 2000 victims of last year’s crime activity,” Paul Drabble wrote.

John Gregory Riordan said “hilarious! Pollies arriving in Cairns. Begin the blah blah gab fest.”

One reader asked “why are these kids out on the streets at midnight?”

“Do they go to school. Where are the people who are supposed to be looking after them … (some of them) are obviously failing in their duty of care,” she said.

Janice Bradley said “the youth need consequences” and “if the parents were able to do something, it would have already been done.”

“Start giving the youth actual punishments, instead of constant rewards and sending them straight back out on the street to commit further crimes,” she said.

Diane Catelan commented that the issue “all starts at home. Some people need to learn parenting.”

Follow @markcmuzza

Originally published as Juvenile crime: Cairns Post readers react to parents ‘failing in their duty of care’