Opinion: Is it time to introduce Castle Law in Queensland?

Violent, armed home invasions – often by repeat youth offenders – are happening across our cities and towns every single day. Is it time to introduce Castle Law in Queensland? This is what you said.

Sunday Mail columnist Madonna King. Picture: David Clark

Violent, armed home invasions – often by repeat youth offenders – seem to be happening across Queensland cities and towns every single day.

These scary crimes are a constant part of the news cycle – terrifying CCTV footage shared on social media and news websites and replayed on the 6 o’clock news. The initial headlines are often followed up by questions over the penalties meted out by courts.

These everyday suburban confrontations, and occasional high-profile attacks – like that on rugby legend Toutai Kefu – created a feverish political debate in the lead-up to the state election. The victors, the LNP, have vowed to fix the problem after taking office.

Violent armed break-ins have become a terrifying prospect for residents across Queensland. File picture: 7 NEWS

But is it time to try something new – like Castle Law, which protects people who use force against intruders.

It was the subject of a petition generated by Katter’s Australian Party, which attracted 40,000 signatures. KAP’s attempt to introduce it failed, but Nick Dametto says they will have another go if the LNP refuses to pick up the policy.

In her first column for The Sunday Mail last week, Madonna King asked a simple question – “How would you, as a juror, judge, a frightened parent who killed a 13-year-old who had entered their home illegally?”

A poll in that column attracted more than 5200 votes, and 95 per cent said they would not convict. The column attracted more than 300 comments – this is what you said.

My house … my country

Valmai

It should not be a crime! If you enter someone’s home or property illegally and armed with any kind of thing that could be used as a weapon then deal with the consequences!

Echidna Jack

These cases should never got to court, no citizen should have to put a home invader’s life before their own, irrespective of the age and background of the home invader. However, if citizens were allowed legal access to non-lethal self-defence items like pepper spray and tasers, a citizen killing a home invader while defending their home, might be avoided.

King Matt

My house and family is my country, so like the military and police I will defend my country/ family against all enemies.

Potatoes of the Night

Threaten my wife – challenge accepted with a bit of GST.

Mark

I would do whatever was necessary to protect my wife and kids.

Steve

I have a hockey stick in my bedroom It is “not” a weapon mearly a piece of sporting equipment.

Alex

Every homeowner should the right to defend their property and possessions no matter what it takes, these lowlifes have no respect to anyone or property and or the law of our great nation Australia.

Raven21

I wouldn’t hesitate. Perhaps if a few were killed by fed up owners then the crime wave would dramatically decrease. These kids know they are untouchable. They need to feel pain.

Phil

If you break the law, and threaten with a weapon you wave (sic) all of your rights. As a father and grandfather I’ll will protect our family with what ever needs to be done. Time something is done about this terrible state of affairs. Labour (sic) is responsible for this.

Steve

If they pull a knife on Police they get shot. If you enter someone’s home with a knife expect to get the fight of your life.

P1

As my brother always told me – better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6 …

Andrew

95% says enough. Stay of my property and leave my stuff alone. My taxes contribute to a very generous welfare system for the unemployed. No excuse to be stealing another person property – just pure laziness.

It’s complicated …

Brendan

This issue of self defence in our home needs to be clarified once and for all. Put this issue to the people in the form of a formal plebiscite vote and see what the result is. Elected politicians should be then guided by the vote results.

Melisa

Once upon a time we called 000 and the police arrived within minutes and had protection what happened

DarylS

Very much depends on the circumstances. Two extremes. An armed person in your home at 3 am coming towards you, tick. An unarmed person in your yard running away, no.

Abigail

Yes a jury should decide if “reasonable force” has been used to defend one’s self and property.

It didn’t have to come to this

W

Government and the judiciary must realise they only exist due to a social licence from the people. We trust they will protect us and govern accordingly to our expectations. If they continue to fail us the inevitable consequence will be that people will take matters back into their own hands.

Gary K

What are we supposed to do when the people we pay a lot of money to protect us, fail dismally to do so?

Mike

Shows how totally out of touch our political and judicial “elites” are........................

Michael

About time this article was written. This has become an Australia wide issue and these kids are armed and some are prepared to use the machetes, knives etc that they carry.

One day they will break into the wrong home, the sports shooter or the bloke who himself is or was from the wrong side of the tracks.

Armed robbery was always considered one of our most dangerous crimes but now governments, mainly ALP, are prepared to ignore it if the perpetrators are children.

Those blind politicians will be the first screaming if a child lose their life

Phil

If it was necessary to use lethal force to protect yourself and family, I wouldn’t hesitate. There is always the possibility of a bad outcome for those who want to try and rob / hurt people. I am not interested in the perpetrators history. These dam (sic) Magistrates also need a bit of a wake up call with regard to bail etc. From what I read, none of these kids should be bailed

Colin

This is the danger, Judges and the courts are so far out of touch and have forgotten to represent and keep the public safe that people will take protection into their own hands, and you can not blame them.

William

Two juvenile offenders arrested after breaking into a women’s house in Brisbane yesterday, both armed with machetes. They are to appear in the Children’s Court? Really? This is Adult Crime, so put them through the normal court. They need to be put away for a long time. If they are let off, they may not be so lucky and walk out of the next home that they invade.

Craig

The soft approach has created a system where criminals young and old act without fear, knowing that consequences are weak or non-existent. Communities are fed up, and if things don’t change, people will start taking matters into their own hands — leading to even bigger problems. Police told me ashamedly after our home invasion if the community don’t step up and take things into their own hands the magistrates will keep ignoring. What a scary world we are entering …

Originally published as Opinion: Is it time to introduce Castle Law in Queensland?