Aaron Harper fires back at Phillip Thompson’s cheap shot opinion piece
A Townsville MP has blasted his federal counterpart for taking “cheap shots” at the Labor government’s efforts to stem the high youth crime rate.
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A TOWNSVILLE politician has slammed his federal counterpart for taking “cheap shots” at the State Government’s efforts to stem the high youth crime rate.
Federal Herbert MP Phillip Thompson wrote in yesterday’s Sunday Mail the people of Townsville were living in fear of youth violence and the Government was operating on a “catch and release system”.
He said nothing would change under the State Government.
Mr Thompson was also critical of the controversial bail house program that will remain in place for at least another 12 months.
Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper admitted youth crime was a serious problem but said Mr Thompson and the LNP had no solutions of their own.
“It’s the sheer hypocrisy of Phillip Thompson throwing cheap shots at the State Labor Government when his own government ceased funding the second part of Project Booyah,” he said. Mr Harper said the State Government was working with communities to overcome “historical issues”.
“We have had a growing problem for a number of years and there is generation dysfunction at its core,” he said.
Youth crime is a serious problem in Townsville. Last week a gang of 10 youths allegedly attacked a bus driver and passengers, throwing bottles at them and lunging for bags and mobile phones.
In another sign of the problem, Mark Yates, a North Ward business owner, was set upon by two young people on his paper run and was forced to defend himself.
Mr Harper said the Government was taking the youth crime problem seriously.
“It is unacceptable and people should feel safe in the community and expect people are locked up and held accountable and sentenced to the community expectations,” he said.
“We are giving more tools to police and the courts and I simply ask sentencing meets community expectations.”
Mr Harper said the State Government was investing in programs like Townsville Stronger Communities and Clontarf Foundation to deter young people from a life of crime.
Youth Justice Minister Di Farmer said the Government had invested half a billion dollars to reduce crime and reoffending in the last 12 months.
“We now have new early intervention programs, youth after-hours services and partnerships with other agencies and community organisations in Townsville,” she said.
Originally published as Aaron Harper fires back at Phillip Thompson’s cheap shot opinion piece