Herbert MP Phillip Thompson says youth crime laws simply ‘not working quick enough’

A Federal MP has taken aim at the Crisafulli Government’s newly implemented youth crime laws, arguing they are failing to deliver fast enough results to curb Townsville’s ‘unacceptable’ crime rates.

A Federal Liberal MP has taken aim at the Crisafulli Government’s keystone youth crime laws, arguing they are failing to deliver fast enough results to curb Townsville’s rampant crime rates.

Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson has called for tougher measures to address the city’s “unacceptable” crime rates.

It comes after Townsville saw a 12 per cent hike in car thefts in the month of February compared to the same time last year.

“No, I don’t think the crime rate in Townsville is acceptable,” Mr Thompson said.

“It’s not safe for residents or visitors, and it’s not good enough.”

While he acknowledged the state government’s introduction of the Adult Crime, Adult Time laws, which came into effect on December 13, he expressed frustration over the slow impact they were having.

“I‘ve done my best to give time for these laws to come into effect,” he said.

“I’m trying my best to hope that this comes to fruition. But I do think it’s not working quick enough, and I get frustrated like everyone else. My house has being broken into, like the majority of people in Townsville.”

Federal Member Phillip Thompson speaking at a crime rally outside Qld Country Bank Stadium in Townsville in 2023.

Youth Justice Minister Laura Gerber has repeatedly said that reversing the youth crime crisis would take time.

“We have always said there was no quick fix to a decade of Labor’s weak laws – however, since the Crisafulli Government introduced Adult Crime, Adult Time, there has been an 8 per cent decrease in the number of stolen cars across Queensland,” she said.

However, Mr Thompson stressed the need for tougher judicial responses, calling for magistrates and judges to enforce harsher penalties.

“I want to see these laws be enacted, and the magistrates and judges, you know, doing what they should be doing, and that is making sure these criminals causing all this chaos and damage and heartache are being detained. And we haven’t seen that happen as probably quickly as what people expect.”

He also reiterated his stance in favour of more mandatory minimum sentencing, arguing that current laws provide too much leniency in judicial decisions.

“I’ve always supported mandatory sentencing because if there’s wiggle room, they’ll wiggle,” he said.

“We need legislation that sets clear expectations.”

The MP also revealed he had personally spoken with a state MP on Wednesday night to emphasise the urgency of the issue.

“I expect the Premier and the state MPs to know that the number one issue in Townsville is crime, and I want them to act on that appropriately,” he said.

“And if that means they’ve got laws in place, or legislation in place, and if it’s working, let it work. If it’s not, move it, make sure it does. Because last night, someone’s house would have got broken into, the night before, tonight and tomorrow. Crime is rampant here, and we need not just a deterrent, we need punishment for bad behaviour.”

Mr Thompson’s comments came as he announced over $150,000 in crime-prevention grants for local schools, sporting clubs, and community groups, funds that would only be available if the Coalition wins government.

Originally published as Herbert MP Phillip Thompson says youth crime laws simply ‘not working quick enough’