LNP in Cairns to announce $100m to steer kids away from crime

Using a recent break-in at a Cairns cafe as a backdrop, the LNP has announced $100m for early youth intervention programs, but a local MP has slammed a hunt for gold standard models as an overseas “junket.”

Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli during a media conference at The Chambers, Cairns. Picture: Liam Kidston.

Using a recent break-in at Cairns cafe The Chambers as a backdrop, the LNP has announced $100m for early youth intervention programs, but a local MP has slammed a hunt for gold standard models as an overseas “junket.”

In Cairns on Monday for the official launch of the LNP election campaign, party leader David Crisafulli was joined by local candidates, youth justice spokeswoman Laura Gerber, cafe proprietor Leith Rae and Fresh Start Academy founder Rob Hodge.

The new announcement follows previous tough on crime pledges, including the adult crime adult time policy, removing detention as last resort for offenders in the courts, allowing magistrates to consider a youth offenders’ full criminal history and $40m for two youth justice schools.

A 17-year-old Bentley Park boy has been charged after smashing up The Chambers cafe in the Cairns CBD. Picture: Supplied

The $100m spend, if elected next month, forms the cornerstone of the LNP’s “gold standard” early intervention policy.

“We’ve spoken a lot about the need for consequences for actions, but I’ve never stood before you without outlining an alternate vision,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“We want to drive down youth crime before it begins, we want to have less victims in this state.”

Mr Crisafulli said KPIs would aim for a 75 per cent attendance rate in programs and a non-reoffending rate of 90 per cent while recognising the importance of having a 72-hour plan in place for kids on release from juvenile detention.

The policy will include $50m to find the world’s best evidence-based programs and ­$50m to fund growth of programs already ­delivering success.

Robert Hodge founder of Fresh Start Academy during a media conference at The Chambers, Cairns. Picture: Liam Kidston.

One Cairns program mentioned by Mr Crisafulli was the Fresh Start Academy, which offers training and employment opportunities for disengaged youth in Cairns and Townsville.

Founded by Mr Hodge, the program is seeking funding to expand a barber program into the automotive sector.

“In the last couple of years we’ve been hand-to-mouth and have been scrambling to find funding,” he said.

The Chambers owner, Ms Rae, is facing a significant damage bill after a 17-year-old boy allegedly went berserk and smashed up her cafe last Thursday.

She said the rights of victims were taking a back seat to the rights of offenders.

“It’s extremely hard, there needs to be change,” she said.

Victim of crime and owner of The Chambers Leith Rae during a media conference at The Chambers, Cairns. Picture: Liam Kidston.

Leith Rae from The Chambers helps clean up the CBD cafe after a break in last Thursday night. Picture: Supplied

“I understand that they are kids and I have my own children but if we look at stats this (generally) isn’t the first crime that they’re doing, so we need to nip that in the bud.”

Youth justice spokeswoman Ms Gerber said the LNP’s funding would guarantee funding for programs such as the Fresh Start Academy.

“This is about getting those kids before they go down a life of crime, intervening early and turning them around so that they can have hope and they can have a good life,” she said.

“If those kids had the opportunity of building a relationship with Rob, or having him as a mentor who they don’t want to disappoint, I’m sure they would have made the right choice.”

Barron River MP Craig Crawford slammed the $100m pledge and claimed Mr Crisafulli has been unable to clearly define what “gold standard” intervention means.

“When you have been asking him questions about what does that mean he has always batted that off,” he said.

“And today by announcing this $50m junket it says to us he has no idea what gold standard early intervention is and has no idea where to find it.

“I don’t think this is a good use of taxpayer dollars, he has misled us all the way in believing that he actually has a suite of options.”

Mr Crisafulli declined to confirm whether international travel would be required to find “gold standard” early intervention models.

“We want to see people make bids, we want to see people put forward their offer, and those who deliver good programs will be rewarded,” he said.

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Originally published as LNP in Cairns to announce $100m to steer kids away from crime