Rampant car theft focus of protest action at Cairns MP’s office

Mocked-up stolen vehicles will be “parked” outside Cairns MP Michael Healy’s Spence St office in protest of the 121 vehicles stolen in January and the 120 taken so far this month.

MOCKED-up stolen vehicles will be “parked” outside Cairns MP Michael Healy’s Spence St office in protest of the 121 vehicles stolen in January and the 120 taken so far this month.

The rally is the second in as many months and follows a protest by members of the Crime and Justice Action Group outside Mr Healy’s office in February.

Cairns couple Perri and Phil Conti are fed up with the city's juvenile crime rate and the sheer number of youth stealing cars in Far North Queensland. They have made cardboard box cars to represent the number stolen in Cairns in January, and will place them all in front of Michael Healy's office on Spence Street at an upcoming rally. Picture: Brendan Radke

Cairns businesswoman Perri Conti has spearheaded action on crime by creating a petition demanding major reforms after getting two cars stolen at the beginning of the year.

The petition requests a public inquiry into the child safety and juvenile justice systems and for parents and guardians to be held accountable for the crimes youth in their care.

Co-organiser Jo Borg said the rally will offer victims of crime a chance to be heard.

“We need more and more victims of crime to come out and tell their stories,” she said.

“If they are concerned or worried about becoming victims of crime, or if they have been victims they need to come and have their stories heard.”

The rally at 50 Spence St will get under way from 2pm on Saturday, April 2.

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Originally published as Rampant car theft focus of protest action at Cairns MP’s office