Youth crime debate flares after teens face court over Sunshine Coast death

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has promised he will not be “taking a backwards step” on the youth crime crisis, as the Sunshine Coast reeled from the violent death of a much-loved local.

Two boys – aged 15 and 17 – have been charged with the stabbing murder of Zdravko Bilic, with their matters appearing in a Maroochydore court on Thursday.

One of the teenagers is under his grandmother’s guardianship with both his parents in jail, the Maroochydore Childrens Court was told.

Zdravko “Zed” Bilic, who was found dead at his Sunshine Coast home, with his partner Gry Tomte.Credit: Facebook

The other has been under the long-term guardianship of Department of Child Safety.

They have been remanded in custody for a Maroochydore committal mention on September 10.

If convicted, they will serve mandatory life sentences under the Queensland government’s controversial “adult crime, adult time” laws.

Speaking to media on Thursday after charges were laid against the teenagers, Crisafulli passed on his condolences, saying no family should have to experience such pain.

“We are not taking a backwards step when it comes to dealing with the youth crime crisis in this state,” he said.

“I want Queenslanders to know that my resolve to continue to deal with this is as strong as ever.”

On Friday, however, Labor doubled down on its criticism of the government’s tough-on-crime approach.

Flowers placed outside the home of Zdravko Bilic, where he was found dead on Monday.Credit: Catherine Strohfeldt

“They’ve been so determined to bang on about their harsher sentences, so determined to claim that that would act as a deterrent when there is not a single piece of evidence anywhere in the world that that was the case,” Opposition Leader Steven Miles said.

“Instead of pretending that higher sentences deter crime, they need to focus on what evidence says does deter crime: that’s crime prevention, early intervention and rehabilitation programs.”

Bilic’s death has shattered the quiet suburb of Warana, which has rallied around his wife, multimillion-dollar skincare business founder Gry Tomte.

It is alleged the 57-year-old was stabbed twice in an altercation with the two boys after they entered the beachside home about 11.30pm on Sunday.

Tomte was not home at the time and had asked a neighbour to check on her husband after she had not heard from him. That neighbour found him dead in his yard about 7.30pm on Monday.

With AAP

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