Restoring consequences for action is a key part of the LNP’s Making Our Community Safer plan. As part of this plan, we have announced that, if elected, youth offenders will be held accountable for a number of serious offences on the same basis as adults. These offences include murder, manslaughter and wounding – adult crimes will bring adult time in the justice system.
We have listened to the deep concerns Queenslanders have about a youth justice system that is failing us all – including offenders. Offenders who go before court dozens of times and never face consequences or successful diversion, or who commit violent offences and are sentenced so lightly and without conviction, are a symptom of a youth justice system that is simply out of touch with community expectations. Offenders that take a life, inflict serious wounding, or violently break into the sanctuary of a family home should face consequences as an adult would. This policy adds to our already released initiatives to remove from law the principle that detention is only a last resort, legislate that victims’ rights go ahead of offenders, and the Staying On Track program to provide up to 12 months of intensive support for offenders released from detention.
Review of disaster management after Christmas Day Storms
I attended the recent community meeting with local residents, councillors and the Inspector General of Emergency Management (IGEM). A key point I made – and one I consider was shared by others – was the lack of effective communication between local residents and those in charge of disaster management (at Scenic Rim Council, according to the State’s disaster management laws), especially in the first 24-48 hours after this disaster. Our local government region is quite large, with various different corridors, and there needs to be a clear and effective way of empowering and supporting local communities across this region in times of disaster. I await the report from IGEM.
Contact Me
If I can assist in any way, please email or call the office (5515 1100) or SMS me on 0401 63 44 88.
