JT urging support in tackling youth crime

FOOTY legend and indigenous leader Johnathan Thurston believes more family support and programs to keep children engaged at school would help solve Cairns’ worrying youth crime rate.

Indigenous youths make up a disproportionately high number of young people arrested for property theft and vandalism with police reporting an increasing numbers of crimes over the past year.

The Cowboys five-eighth spoke ahead of the close of nominations for the Queensland Reconciliation Awards, of which he is an ambassador.

Mr Thurston congratulated Cairns organisations and businesses for their reconciliation efforts.

Last year, CaPTA Group, Cairns Hockey Association, Cairns indigenous Art Fair and The Puuya Foundation and Lockhart River Aboriginal community won four out of the five awards.

“Cairns has a huge indigenous population, and in the surrounding areas, and they’re doing some wonderful things in the community to help the next generation move forward in their lives,” he said.

“While we’ve come a long way with reconciliation we still have a long way to go. Obviously, keeping students engaged at school is a big one, as well as providing training opportunities for our culture.

“It’s good to see that Cairns is right up there doing their best to help.”

But Mr Thurston said the question of how to reduce the involvement of young indigenous people in crime was “a tough one to answer”.

“Recognising the help some families do need with the children is big,” he said.

“Some kids are being looked after by grandparents and aunties and uncles and so forth.

“Having more programs in schools that are keeping these kids engaged and wanting to better themselves and providing them with opportunities after they leave school is vital.”