Cairns mayor wants second tranche of adult time adult crime laws as soon as possible

Cairns’ mayor has ‘urged’ the state government to deliver the next round of adult crime adult time laws as soon as possible, despite the premier remaining tight-lipped on when the laws will be introduced.

Cairns Mayor Amy Eden is close to tears while speaking to the crowd at the Rally for Justice protest, organised in response to the sickening crime of an alleged gang rape of a woman at knifepoint in her own home on Friday, February 21. About 500 people attending the rally on the Cairns Esplanade. Picture: Brendan Radke

Cairns’ mayor has urged the state government to deliver the next round of adult crime adult time laws immediately following an alleged gang rape that shook Far North Queensland.

Amy Eden has called on the state government to urgently introduce the second tranche of adult crime legislation that is expected to include changes to offences such as sexual assault and attempted murder.

“I strongly urge the state government to implement the second tranche of the adult crime adult time legislation as soon as possible,” Ms Eden said.

“Our residents need this to happen as a matter of urgency, not only for community safety but also to deliver justice and reassurance to survivors.”

Her comments come just weeks after hundreds of community members rallied against February’s alleged gang rape in Manunda amid escalating crime across the region.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has repeatedly refused to outline when the laws would be introduced, but stated they will come into effect this year.

Questions were put to both Member for Barron River Bree James and Youth Justice Minister Laura Gerber as to timing of the second tranche and why there would be greater due diligence compared to the first round of laws that passed within weeks of taking government.

Neither Ms James or Ms Gerber provided insight into the timing or potential complexities surrounding the second tranche, but Ms Gerber did say the state government had already delivered on what was promised.

Minister for Youth Justice Laura Gerber defended the government's progress on youth crime legislation stating the Crisafulli led coalition had already done exactly as promised. Photo Steve Pohlner

“The Crisafulli Government has delivered exactly what it promised Queenslanders by introducing the first wave of adult crime, adult time laws before Christmas and establishing an expert legal panel to advise on the next tranches of those laws,” Ms Gerber said.

“The expert legal panel is working methodically as it considers future offences, such as rape and other serious crimes.

“We are committed to turning the tide on Labor’s Youth Crime Crisis that has robbed regional communities like Cairns of their safety and we won’t stop until there are fewer victims of crime.”

Originally published as Cairns mayor wants second tranche of adult time adult crime laws as soon as possible