Tackling Crime

Queensland was once a safe place to raise your children; we know that we can do better when it comes to community safety.

CRACKING DOWN ON YOUTH CRIME: SAFETY, JUSTICE, INTERVENTION AND ACCOUNTABILITY

The first responsibility of any government – in Queensland, somewhere else in Australia, or anywhere else in the democratic world – is the safety of its people and communities.

Under the Palaszczuk/Miles Labor government, many Queenslanders are feeling anything but safe—not at home, at work, in public, in schools, or on the road. Crime is out of control in our state, and Queenslanders are living in fear. That is no way to live. Even police are fearful of the increasingly brazen repeat youth offenders who deliberately target them with assault or stolen vehicles.

Police resources in Queensland are under tremendous strain, with more officers leaving the force than are being recruited. Courts continue to release repeat offenders onto the streets, only for them to commit more crimes. Innocent people are dying in home invasions or in accidents involving stolen vehicles being driven recklessly.

The cost to businesses and households is tremendous. Insurance premiums are rising in response to increasing property damage and theft, and individuals are paying thousands of dollars for additional security that police can no longer provide.

Something must be done to stop this crime wave. One Nation will see it done. Keeping the community safe is our highest obligation and priority.

OUR POLICIES

Community safety first

Labor’s catch-and-release approach to serious young offenders does not work and puts the community’s safety at greater risk. One Nation will put the safety of Queensland’s communities first by:

  • advocating strict sentencing guidelines to help keep dangerous repeat offenders off the streets;
  • reviewing and amending bail laws to help keep dangerous repeat offenders off the streets;
  • promoting the development of more youth detention capacity in Queensland, but not with the luxuries and conveniences now being provided in current facilities; and
  • advocating that courts prioritise community safety over the individual welfare or rehabilitation prospects of repeat offenders when considering applications for bail.

Strengthening justice

Justice is a foundational principle of Queensland and Australian democracy, but when it comes to this youth crime crisis, few Queenslanders – be they victims or offenders – are experiencing it. Victims must receive appropriate support in the aftermath of crime, and offenders must face appropriate consequences for committing it. One Nation will strengthen justice in Queensland by:

  • advocating the appointment of judges who understand the plight of victims;
  • establishing a comprehensive victim support program with counselling, legal and financial assistance; and
  • requiring young offenders to make restitution to victims as part of their rehabilitation, which may also involve the offender’s family if the offender is a minor and parental neglect is demonstrated to be a contributing factor.

Intervention to prevent repeat offending

Queensland is home to a number of successful intervention and redirection programs – often called ‘boot camps’, although this does not adequately describe them – for young people at risk of a life a of crime. One such program is Operation Hard Yakka, based on the Fraser Coast. It has a 90% success rate in turning around the lives of troubled young people. Other interventions will include treatment for contributing mental health issues and working with the families of offenders. One Nation will promote interventions to prevent repeat offending by:

  • integrating proven intervention and redirection programs like Operation Hard Yakka in the justice system for both crime prevention and rehabilitation;
  • establishing facilities where intervention programs for at-risk youth can be based, starting with a re-purposed education facility on North Keppel island;
  • identifying young offenders in need of mental health treatments and ensuring they receive it from suitably qualified counsellors or therapists; and
  • foster partnerships between families, schools, youth welfare organisations and police to mentor and manage at-risk youth for crime prevention.

Accountability to the Queensland community

Court decisions with respect to repeat offenders are all too often failing to meet the expectations of the Queensland community, which is becoming increasingly frustrated with endless reports of serious crimes being committed by offenders released on bail.

One Nation will explore the feasibility of establishing a panel to review court decisions involving serious offenders who subsequently commit crimes while on bail. The panel would ideally comprise legal experts (lawyers and ex-judges) as well as genuine community representatives.

One Nation will announce further information and associated policies relating to Queensland over the course of the election period.

More information

1. Pauline Hanson - tough on crime

2. A youth justice worker confirming what Pauline Hanson has been saying about Youth Crime

3. Pauline Hanson and youth crime answers

4. Laser focus on addressing youth crime

5. A new police commissioner - what this means