On-Country Program: MP Nick Dametto wants urgent update on program to adress youth crime

As serious youth crime continues to blight Townsville, an MP has called on the state government to provide an urgent update on its intensive on-country program.

In February this year, Youth Justice Minister Di Farmer announced that the Miles Government would deliver a new intensive On-Country Program to ‘tackle’ juvenile First Nation offenders. The program was promised to provide an “intensive cultural and residential experience”.

As serious youth crime continues to blight Townsville, Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto has called on the Miles Government to provide an urgent update on the progress of its intensive on-country program.

The calls come after a Townsville boy faces almost 50 charges in relation to series of alleged vehicle, property and violence offences during a three-week rampage that left multiple victims in its wake.

Mr Dametto says it had been two months since the process of expressions of interest for the revamped program had concluded as “crime continues to traumatise residents and compromise the safety of North Queenslanders”.

“Youth crime is North Queensland’s number one concern, and if the Government have genuinely proceeded through the EOI process, then they must expedite the delivery of this program, which means announcing and funding a chosen program or programs as soon as possible,” he said.

Member for Hill Shane Knuth, Member for Hinchinbrook Nick Dametto, Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter and KAP Mundingurra candidate Michael Pugh at the Townsville Entertainment Centre. Mr Dametto, the KAP deputy leader, said victims were hurting and looking for a genuine solution to reduce the severity and frequency of youth crime. Picture: Evan Morgan

The Miles Government announced in February that it was seeking expressions of interest from First Nations organisations to deliver the program for youth offenders.

A Department of Youth Justice spokesperson said it had received a number of EOIs and was “working through a rigorous assessment process”.

“The Queensland Government strongly supports effective On Country programs to bring better outcomes for First Nations young people with complex needs,” he said.

“The outcomes of the Expressions of Interest process will be announced in due course, and the Queensland Government will work closely with selected providers.”

Youth Justice Minister Di Farmer. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Mr Dametto said victims were truly hurting and looking for a genuine solution to reduce the severity and frequency of youth crime.

“They would not be forgiving if the State Government used this previous announcement as a media stunt or a way to buy them time before the October election.”

The deputy leader of Katter’s Australian Party said the ongoing chaos on Townsville streets had left “residents completely shaken”.

“Police are pleased to have the POLAIR police helicopter as a tool to help track and apprehend youth offenders, but now the judicial system needs the tools to lock up and rehabilitate if we have any chance at reducing the number of youth criminals on our streets.”

He said they needed to reduce youth crime now.

“Victims cannot afford lip service from this government, they want practical solutions delivered now which means programs kicking off within the month.”

Originally published as On-Country Program: MP Nick Dametto wants urgent update on program to adress youth crime