Labor dodges revealing their stance on inclusion of rape in LNPs ‘adult crime’ laws

As Queensland’s mainstream political parties dodge questions on strengthening sentences for teen rapists, one party is calling on the LNP to keep their promise that serious teen offenders will be held accountable.

The Katter Party are the only Queensland politicians who have called for rape to be included in the LNPs ‘Adult Crime, Adult Time’ law reforms after it was left out of the government's Making Queensland Safer Laws. Pictures: File

The Katter Party is the only Queensland political party that has called for rape to be included in the LNPs ‘adult crime, adult time,’ legislation after it was left out of the government’s first tranche of Making Queensland Safer Laws.
Queensland is at the forefront of the nation’s sexual violence and rape crisis with reports of the serious crime rising fasting than all other criminal offences.

Sentencing data shows a high number of the sates rape crimes are committed by teenage boys.

The LNP’s firm stance that the inclusion of rape offences will be up to an independent panel is at odds with the premier’s call earlier this month that attempted murder, which was also left out of the policy, will be included.

Rather than making their position clear, Labor and the Greens slammed the LNP for rushing through the first round of youth justice reforms in December.

Opposition Leader Steven Miles said “David Crisafulli rushed his Adult Crime, Adult Time laws through parliament despite every expert, community group, stakeholder and the Opposition warning they were not given enough time to properly consider the ramifications of the legislation”. Picture: Richard Walker

When Opposition Leader Steven Miles was asked if his party supported the offence of rape to be included in the next tranche of laws he said the LNP was more focused on slogans than getting policy right.

“David Crisafulli rushed his adult crime, adult time laws through parliament despite every expert, community group, stakeholder and the Opposition warning they were not given enough time to properly consider the ramifications of the legislation,” he said.

“The experts said there would be unintended consequences by passing legislation that had not been properly and rigorously tested.

“Despite this, the Premier trashed proper parliamentary processes and rammed them through.

“Queenslanders were sold no crime under the LNP, but all we’ve seen is a government running on slogans without substance.”

Greens MP for Maiwar Michael Berkman echoed the Opposition’s sentiments, however added the new laws would increase crime rates across the Sunshine State.

Greens MP Michael Berkman said “The LNPs ‘Adult Crime, Adult Time’ laws won’t help to reduce crime, but will actively increase reoffending. Queensland already has the highest youth imprisonment rate in the country and 90% of these children reoffend within a year of release,”. Picture Lachie Millard

“The LNP is simply proposing more of the same failed approach taken by successive governments, and it’s clear this will only make Queenslanders less safe,” he said.

“Crucial sexual violence support organisations have been crying out for more funding, as demand for support has surged.

“Specialist services like Zig Zag, EVAWQ and the Gold Coast Centre Against Sexual Violence have been critical of the LNPs ‘adult time, adult crime’ laws, and are calling for early intervention services that will actually make Queenslanders safer.

“The Greens are calling for an urgent increase in funding for sexual assault services, establishing sexual health clinic in every LGA, and evidence-based intervention programs that will actually make Queenslanders safer.”

Katter’s Australian Party leader Robbie Katter said his party was committed to ensuring rape offenders were included in the next round of Making Queensland Safer Laws.

“We’re committed to getting it in there,” he said.

The Leader of the Katter Australia Party Robbie Katter flanked by party said the government needs to explain themselves. Picture: NewsWire / Glenn Campbell

“We were flattered that the LNP adopted (our policy) but to see that it’s fallen short, it now obligates us as a party to try and get the full benefit out of the (‘adult crime, adult time’) policy,” he said.

“It’s a pretty significant omission.”

Mr Katter said the impact of the omission was the community’s expectations of the policy, which had clearly fell short, rather than being bitterly disappointed.

“If they can’t turn this around well I think it will be a real blow to the public’s confidence,” he said.

He said “we all lose” if the LNP falls short on their promise to hold juvenile offenders accountable for the serious crimes they commit.

“It’s self-evident the fact that rape isn’t included and car stealing is, it just seems an absurdity that most people would want an explanation on.

“It’s not something that can’t go on unanswered.”

Mr Katter said if there was a reason the offence of wasn’t included, he would be happy to sit down with the LNP to better understand the decision.

“There’s been a huge imbalance of… looking to protect to rights of the offenders and not the victims… and here was a big test on that,” he said.

Originally published as Labor dodges revealing their stance on inclusion of rape in LNPs ‘adult crime’ laws