Qld youth crime: What you said about how to stop ‘young thugs’

Queensland’s youth crime scourge shows no signs of stopping - and couriermail.com.au readers have had enough. JOIN THE CONVERSATION

While Queensland lawyers have expressed doubt about the central elements of Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s much-vaunted youth justice laws, couriermail.com.au readers have offered their thoughts on the state’s youth crime scourge.

The Enough is Enough campaign, launched by News Corp publications in February 2023, is about finding a resolution to the issue plaguing every pocket of the state.

Here is what you are saying about the Palaszczuk government’s plans and if they will work.

Queensland’s youth crime crisis has reached a critical point.

Mark: “Generally, if I see lawyers and the law council “up in arms” over anything, I know the government or police are on the right track, but unfortunately, I have to agree with them on some of their concerns. Angering the human rights commission is a sure sign they are on the right track with some features, especially the breach of bail legislation.”

Adrian: “As a part of the healing process for victims it is vital that they witness punishment and restitution made by the perpetrators otherwise they will always feel let down by the system.”

Wheelie: “Interesting. The LNP call for breach of bail to be bought back and Labor agrees but the QLS says no. You just can’t win.”

Ricky: “Increasing the maximum sentences is not the problem, it’s the minimum sentence that’s the issue. Start imposing them and stop constantly releasing young repeat offenders back into the community. Better still, set up some Juvenile Boot Camps to send these kids too, let’s see how tough they are after learning a few real life lessons from some hardened instructors.”

Jason: “Very simple, there needs to be consequences to keep the public safe. That means minimum sentences and detention.”

William: “Breach of bail should have always remained an offence and if an offender who has been charged with vehicle theft is let out on bail and steals another vehicle they should be sentenced to two terms of 10 or 14 years of mandatory jail to be served non concurrently.”

JOIN THE CONVERSATION HERE

What you said about the Enough is Enough campaign

Rachel: “The current targets seem to be driven by the national averages rather than caring about the issue. It’s all about looking good compared to the other states and territories!”

JP: “Do 4 things.

“Initiate a program like Finland has to guide the kids before they become hardened criminals.

“Increase the minimum sentences for drug importers and dealers

“Introduce minimum sentences for youths with extensive criminal history

“Reclassify children as 16 or under.”

Ron: “All the issues called for have been addressed in the new, even tougher laws including breach of bail laws. It appears to me that there is nothing further the government can do to strengthen the laws to make them as water tight as possible to keep these offenders off the streets. The rest is up to the Judiciary to implement them and now they have been given full direction that must be adhered to. Full credit to the government for listening to the people and given the eveything that has been asked from them.”

Why Bother: “Sentences need to be made mandatory. There is no point extending the penalties if the judiciary won’t give the maximum or even a sentence in keeping with public expectations. And sentences need to be long and severe. You lock about a dozen of these juvenile offenders up for 10 years and publicise it heavily, watch the crime rate drop. Also the age of criminal responsibility needs to be lowered not raised. A 5 year old can tell you steeling someone’s car or bashing an old person is the wrong thing to do.”

Roger: “why does the legal system not have MINIMUM SENTENCES as well as maximum sentance. a lot of the time recidivists have no perceived threat of time to be served gor offences.”

SusanR6: “Early detection and intervention is obviously key to the promotion of positive outcomes for children, however, what are we doing about preventing the trauma in the first place. There are countless cases of domestic violence, both between adults and targeting children. This is a major cause of trauma. Why does our legal system require life threatening injuries before it can act to protect.”

Steve: “What I find interesting is that the experts never seem to be able to specifically say what the solution is. They all fluff around saying this doesn’t work and that doesn’t work but never really offer any alternatives that will so in the meantime what alternatives do we have other than to lock them up.”

Dan: “Solving this issue is really quite simple - if the crime is breaking in and stealing from a home, business or vehicle then the offender should be charged as an adult. Minimum sentences rather than maximum sentences should be enforced. If this is unpalatable then the parents should be charged for the crimes their children are committing.”

JOIN THE CONVERSATIONHERE

What you said about Steven Miles’ attack on the judiciary

Queensland’s youth crime scourge shows no signs of stopping - and couriermail.com.au readers have had enough.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles’ astonishing rebuke of the judiciary in February 2023 sparked a fresh wave of concerns over the plan of action - or alleged lack of it - from those in power.

Mr Miles hit out at Magistrate Viviana Keegan’s decision to release 13 alleged youth offenders in Townsville on bail in a single day.

The comments have since drawn strong reactions - including Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman weighing in - from both sides of the debate.

Here is what you said on Queensland’s approach to youth crime.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Dianne: “qld labor all over the place no idea never had.”

GWC: “Where’s Anna? What does she think? I bet she backs him.”

Mark: “Oh I forgot. The government is outraged at a contractor to Macca’s is making money fining there own customers for parking..........Outrageous!!!!!”

Victoria: “I can’t believe I am saying this...............but I actually agree with Miles. LOL”

STEPHEN: “community safety has NEVER been this governments priority.”

The Joker: “Another person killed for his car in Hervey Bay. What did Fentimen have to say about that? The same as the missing link, the Premier. Nothing.”

Henry: “For once, Miles was right.”

Foul Quince: “Meanwhile, the people keep dying at the hands of these young thugs.”

Steve: “Shannon Fentiman claims that the ‘community safety is a first priority for the government’ When did this mandate take effect it certainly hasn't been a priority to this date.”

Beth: “The community’s safety is the government’s first priority,” sounds like another roll out line with no action to back it after months & months of repeating offending by youths.”

Frazer: “if community safety is the governments chief concern, where does the safety of thousands of children currently being subjected to abuse snd neglect stand? why don't you protect those kids.”

Steven Miles’ comments on youth crime has caused a stir.

Greg: “They are like petulant teenagers covering their ears & yelling “La, la, la” so they can pretend that they didn’t hear what Miles said.”

James: “the AG said - ““However, I do want to make clear that community safety is this government’s first priority,”

Well do something about it AG and stop the spin. Legislate that repeat offenders get NO BAIL AND MINIMUM SENTENCES APPLY for crimes.”

Dave: “Two more Juvenile Murders since the Lovell Murder last year and STILL this Govt hasn’t acted on toughening up the laws that they have imposed on Qlders 8 years ago.”

Originally published as Qld youth crime: What you said about how to stop ‘young thugs’