LNP wants to bring back Newman era laws on juvenile crime

The LNP says it will make it far easier for magistrates to put juvenile offenders behind bars if its wins power next year, as it announces a Newman Government-style youth crime policy.

The Queensland LNP will make it far easier for magistrates to put juvenile offenders behind bars if its wins power next year.

In a tough new juvenile crime policy to be released today, Opposition leader David Crisafulli will gamble that Queenslanders are ready to back a return to the Newman Government’s approach to juvenile crime.

The three key points in the policy are:

* Removing Labor’s provision that detention be a last resort for youths

* Making breach of bail an offence for the young offender.

* Requesting an Auditor-General investigation into government juvenile justice intervention programs to determine effectiveness and cost.

Mr Crisafulli said the policy, created after extensive consultation across Queensland, was designed to stop hard core offenders “in their tracks.’’

“The first priority of any government is to ensure the safety of its citizens,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“Enough is enough, we are calling time on Labor’s watered-down laws.

“The LNP will repair Labor’s youth crime laws and start protecting citizens again.’’

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli has hit out at the government’s ‘watered down’ youth crime laws. Picture: Liam Kidston

Mr Crisafulli said the Youth Justice Act was watered down eight years when Labor took power from the LNP.

But he said he and his team of Opposition MPs had canvassed people across the state in the past few months and the party believed it had almost unanimous support from many people who now feel imprisoned in their homes.

“We are on the side of Queenslanders.’’ he said.

“My team and I have listened to people right across the state and every single one of them wants to see change.

“These are the first steps to delivering that change.’’

Mr Crisafulli said the central theme of the policy, which is bound to be vigorously opposed by many in the legal fraternity as well as experts in juvenile justice, was giving magistrates the power to remove serious offenders from the community.

“We want to unshackle magistrates whose hands have been tied by the Palaszczuk Government’s weak laws and allow them to detain youth offenders who must be taken off our streets.

“They will retain the option to direct offenders to early intervention programs when appropriate but they must be freed to make the right decision for the right circumstances. ‘’

The intervention programs themselves also needed more scrutiny, the Opposition leader said.

“The details of the Palaszczuk Government’s current programs are shrouded in mystery – we will bring them into the light.

“We want an Auditor-General’s report so Queenslanders can see what has failed and what is working to start curbing youth crime.’’

Deputy Leader of the Opposition Jarrod Bleijie said under the previous LNP Government juvenile crime figures fell every year.

Since 2015 the number of young offenders in Queensland had increased every year, he said.

“The number of serious repeat offenders had also risen only in the last few months from 10 per cent to 17 per cent,’’ Mr Bleijie said.

“That is Labor’s legacy on youth crime.

“They are losing control.’’

Originally published as LNP wants to bring back Newman era laws on juvenile crime