KAP deputy leader cautious about aligning entirely with LNP

Following a crime-ridden weekend in Townsville, described as one of the worst yet, KAP deputy leader Nick Dametto has backed the LNP’s youth crime policy, which proposes adult sentences for young offenders.

Mundingburra MP Michael Pugh, and KAP deputy leader Nick Dametto. They believe the LNP policy to charge teenage criminals that commit serious offences as adults aligns heavily with their own ideas. In principle they support the LNP’s policy but as if they would vote for it in parliament, the “devil’s in the detail”.

KAP deputy leader Nick Dametto described the weekend of crime in Townsville to be one of the worst waves this year, during which numerous child offenders were seen jumping out of a stolen vehicle.

The Hinchinbrook MP supported a policy announcement by the LNP to charge teenagers who committed serious crimes with adult sentences, as they appeared to take advantage of the age of criminal responsibility while Townsville hosted the Supercars.

“These kids, they’re intelligent mate, they’re playing a very dangerous game,” Mr Dametto said.

“They know exactly what they’re up to and they know there’s an essential hall pass.”

At the weekend opposition leader David Crisafulli announced the LNP’s policy of ‘adult crime, adult time’ which would ensure teenagers that did serious crimes would be charged as an adult.

Mr Dametto accused the LNP of copying the idea after allowing the KAP to “road test some of these radical policies.”

“And when they see the public supports these policies they’re more than happy to adopt them themselves.

“It’s a very smart big business move.”

Mr Dametto downplayed the Katters’ warning last week they could break neutrality and push their preferences towards LNP.

There was “some alignment there” following LNP’s latest policy, but Mr Dametto warned circumstances could change closer to the election as more details of policies were released.

“For us to say … I would sign over to the LNP because they’ve aligned another one of our policies with ours, I think we’re faraway off that,” he said.

Originally published as KAP deputy leader cautious about aligning entirely with LNP