Far North MP’s have responded to local governments’ calls for relocation of youth crims

Local councils have thrown their support behind a proposal pushing for rural diversionary facilities for young criminal offenders.

Far North MPs are refusing to commit to requests from Mareeba Shire Council and the greater LGAQ for the introduction of remote and rural diversionary facilities for youth offenders.

Mareeba Shire Council submitted the motion to the Local Government Association of Queensland, an advocacy body, which its members voted in favour of at the organisation’s conference in Cairns on Wednesday.

Far North MPs and Minister for Youth Justice Leanne Linard were cautious of supporting the motion until they receive more information noting the complexity of the issue and the existence of current on country programs.

Queensland Minister Children and Youth Justice Leanne Linard speaks about the need for a youth detention centre in Far North Queensland. Picture: Brendan Radke

Minister for Youth Justice Leanne Linard said she was looking forward to receiving a detailed proposal.

“Our government is always willing to consider constructive suggestions from the community,” Ms Linard said.

“It’s important to remember that most young people who have contact with police and the justice system never reoffend.

“For those that do continue to offend we have the strongest laws in the nation, including the

presumption against bail, which means more offenders are locked up for longer.”

State MP for Barron River Craig Crawford. Picture: Bronwyn Farr.

Barron River MP Craig Crawford said he was open to new ideas and strategies, but the state already had on country programs.

“But these are complex and difficult issues, and whatever we do has to be based on evidence it works and whether it makes a difference,” he said.

“If a child’s spirit is broken, banishing them to the bush to fix fences and drive tractors, does not fix the problem.

“We have to help them deal with past trauma, break the cycle of dysfunction, and give them a solid base to build on.”

Member for Cairns Michael Healy and Queensland Minister for Children and Youth Justice Leanne Linard speak to the media about youth crime in Far North Queensland. Picture: Brendan Radke

Cairns MP Michael Healy said early intervention was vitally important for at-risk young people.

“We do currently have on country programs operating around our region,” Mr Healy said.

“Having recently visited youth detention centres in Brisbane, the location of these facilities is one of the complexities when it comes to staffing and access to appropriate services.

“I welcome all suggestions from all levels of government, this is a community problem, and we should seek input and ideas from all sectors.”

Speaker Curtis Pitt, Estimates Hearings, Parliament House, Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston

Speaker of parliament and Mulgrave MP Curtis Pitt said he was putting his efforts toward early intervention.

“As the chair of Cairns South Together, the work that I’m involved with is all about that early

intervention to build the capacity of families in the southern corridor to give kids the best start and not fall into a life of crime and destruction.”

Member for Cook Cynthia Lui at parliament. Pics Tara Croser.

Cook MP Cynthia Lui said her electorate already had an on country program run by Jabalbina and she was totally supportive of the work they did.

“But before I could support the motion, I’d like to see more detail and evidence on how it works, because this is a very complex issue,” she said.

“I’m a big advocate for a collaborative approach, whatever we do must involve everyone.”

The motion, which was supported at the LGAQ’s conference last week, called for the state government to introduce diversionary facilities on remote state-owned properties in Queensland where youth offenders, who are yet to become repeat offenders, would be sent so they can “gain both social and vocational skills and accreditation so they can pursue employment opportunities,” the motion stated.

“Every Queensland community deserves to be a liveable one … currently there are many communities in our state that are not liveable because of youth crime,” Mareeba councillor Mario Mlikota said when introducing the motion to the conference, which passed with overwhelming endorsement.

Mareeba mayor Angela Toppin. Picture: Nuno Avendano

Locals are likely to be unsatisfied with the lack of commitment and are having their say after the proposal at the LGAQ AGM.

Comments on Cairns Post’s social media suggest there is a lot of support for some sort of relocation program whatever the make up of that may be.

“Create a pre army type boot camp If they’re still offending at 18, in they go,” one commenter said.

“Great idea, would be great to see this put in motion. Labour for our ever important farmers and a better upbringing for our youth,” another said.

“I say it again, boot camp or National service 6 months to start increased every repeat offence. The boot camp would have to be self sufficient, grow vegies, have animals etc. Solomon Islands has a prison farm, it is running well thanks to Australia’s assistance, it did also in the colonial days,” one reader said.

Originally published as Far North MP’s have responded to local governments’ calls for relocation of youth crims