LNP unveils plan to get tough on crime in Cairns

A Cairns business owner says break-ins have left his young children too scared to sleep in their own beds as he met with leaders from the LNP to hear how they will get tough on crime.

Shadow Minister for Police Dan Purdie, LNP Cook candidate David Kempton, Barron river candidate Bree James, Cairns Wake Park Owner Adam Homer, Shadow Attorney-General Tim Nicholls and Cairns candidate Yolonde Entsch. Photo: Dylan Nicholson

A Cairns business owner has described how break-ins to his home and business left his young children too scared to sleep in their own beds, as he met with leaders from the LNP to hear how they promise to get tough on crime.

Adam Homer, who owns the Cairns Wake Park in Smithfield, said he has had numerous break-ins to his home and business that have left his family shaken.

“The first one happened around 2021 when our two cars were stolen,” he said.

“We were woken by a call from a police officer asking us if we were aware our cars had been stolen.

“I thought it was a prank at first because we didn’t hear a thing and we always lock up the house fully.

“They told us that both our cars had been stolen and written off. They had an idea of who had done it but I don’t think much happened with them.”

Mr Homer said the incident left his young children scared for their safety.

Adam Homer owns the Cairns Wake park which has had numerous break-ins with crims leaving a path of devastation and damage to the business. Photo: Dylan Nicholson

“My kids were too scared to sleep in their own beds so they were really shaken up.”

It is not just his home that has been targeted by young criminals, with his business also facing the brunt of out of control youth crime.

“They have broken into the park numerous times,” he said.

“They have taken the boats out for joy rides, broken equipment and the features on the course, and even stole thousands of dollars worth of ice-creams.”

As recently as just a fortnight ago when the park was hosting a national competition, a competitor had their wakeboards stolen.

“It’s such a shame because you want to be able to show the region when people come here for events but you just can’t tell them ‘yeah its safe’,” Mr Homer said.

Leaders from the LNP attorney-general spokesman Tim Nicholls and police spokesman Dan Purdie visited Mr Homer as they spruiked their solution to the youth crime crisis, a hard line approach which would see youth criminals served adult prison time for serious crimes.

Mr Nicholls said the Adult Crime, Adult Time policy would restore consequences for actions with youth offenders held accountable for their crimes.

“This will include the offences of murder, manslaughter, wounding, home and business break ins, robbery, car theft and dangerous operation of a vehicle,” he said.

Mr Nicholls said that their policy will be more than just locking criminals up with $175 million to support young offenders in the 12 months after they are released from detention.

“This will be through things like education, job training, mentoring as well as volunteering and sport so that we can teach them how to live their life without crime and contribute to society once they are released.”

Originally published as LNP unveils plan to get tough on crime in Cairns