Lawless: Crisafulli says Queensland losing battle as repeat offenders run riot
Queensland’s opposition has called for the justice system to get tougher on young offenders, claiming the Sunshine State is lawless.
Opposition leader David Crisafulli speaks at Queensland Parliament in Brisbane, Wednesday, August 31, 2022. (AAP Image/Jono Searle)
LNP leader David Crisafulli says the number of “hardcore” repeat youth offenders has doubled from 10 to 20 per cent over the past two years.
“Queenslanders have never felt less safe in their homes,” he told reporters on Sunday.
He said the state had become the crime capital of Australia and called for more police patrolling the streets.
“If you’re in Queensland, you’re twice as likely to be assaulted (and) three times as likely to have your car pinched than if you live in NSW,” he said.
“It’s time to unshackle the judiciary and remove detention as last resort.
“It’s time to get serious about early intervention.”
Mr Crisafulli said a rise in youth crime was a result of the Palaszczuk government watering down the state’s crime laws.
“Queenslanders are living in fear of a generation of hardcore repeat youth criminals who are laughing at the state government’s weak attempts to fix the youth crime crisis they created,” he said.
Concerns about youth crime have flared in Queensland in recent months, with a recent Freshwater Strategy Poll finding it was the third-biggest issue to voters after cost of living and housing.
