‘Absolute spiv’: War of words erupts in Far North over LNP’s youth crime plans

Tough new laws allowing judges and magistrates to consider youth offenders’ full criminal history will be introduced by the LNP, if elected in October, Opposition Leader David Crisafulli says.

LNP leader David Crisafulli plans to expose rap sheets of youth criminals if elected.

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Tough new laws allowing judges and magistrates to consider youth offenders’ full criminal history will be introduced by the LNP, if elected in October, Opposition Leader David Crisafulli says.

But Member for Cairns Michael Healy said the measures won’t stop youths from ending up behind bars, with key crime figures having dropped in the Far North and across the state this year.

Under the Coalition, a child’s criminal record will also be admissible during sentencing as an adult, Mr Crisafulli said.

“What’s happening at the moment is a young offender can have a rap sheet a mile long and then the clock starts again when they turn 18,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“That’s not fair on the community. There must be consequences for actions.”

In response, Mr Healy said the average number of young people who are serious repeat offenders has fallen 14 per cent in the six months to May this year.

Queensland Opposition Leader David Crisafulli speaks to the media in Cairns recently. Picture: Brendan Radke

“The LNP has yet to release any documentation which forms anything that looks like a strategy,” the Far North MP said.

“They are coming out with slogans. What we need are solutions.

“Locking kids up for longer and ensuring that they keep their criminal record will do nothing to put downward pressure on youth crime. David Crisafulli is an absolute spiv.”

In the Far North, the number of reported offences by young people has dropped by 12 percent in the period from January 2024 to June 2024 compared to the same time last year, Mr Healy said.

“We’re investing in Cairns Safer Streets, identifying at-risk kids and providing wrap-around services for juveniles who’ve been released from detention.

“We’re proposing to build a new juvenile detention facility (in the Far North). They’re even opposing that.”

Member for Cairns Michael Healy has blasted the LNP's plans to curb youth crime across the state. Picture: Samuel Davis

The LNP would likely be forced to build a youth detention centre similar to the 40-bed facility proposed by Labor due to the current government’s shortcomings, Opposition spokesman for Attorney General Tim Nicholls said.

“I would say to you because of Labor’s failures, there obviously is,” Mr Nicholls said of the need for a juvenile facility in the region.

“But we’ve got a different plan. Our plan is to reduce the number of youth offenders, to deal with the youth crime crisis and to change the laws that Labor has systematically weakened since 2016.”

Premier Steven Miles agreed the LNP’s announcement was a ‘Trump-esque’ populist policy.

“Of course it is,” he said.

“Again we see David Crisafulli and the LNP viewing crime as an opportunity for politics, that’s what we are used to seeing from them.

“Now is not the time to be making rash changes based on the best slogan from your focus groups.

“Now is the time to stick with the plan we know is working.

“If this was about community safety they would have put this forward when they had the opportunity, instead they’re announcing it just prior to an election campaign because they see crime as a way to win votes.”

Originally published as ‘Absolute spiv’: War of words erupts in Far North over LNP’s youth crime plans