Premier floats youth detention centre idea

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk came to the Far North with energy but it was her comments regarding our pathetic youth crime record that really caught attention. Far North Queenslanders are invested in sustainability and reliable power sources into the future but right now they want their region to be safe.

And for crims to keep their hands off their hard-earned property.

Dissatisfaction with the intolerable crime rate has reached new levels.

Latest police statistics show 11 cars were stolen in Cairns since Saturday pushing the number taken for the year to 1015. Let’s say that again - 1015.

Yes the issue is complex. Yes it will take more than just one lever and no it’s not just one person’s fault or responsibility to fix it.

On Tuesday the premier was here to flick the switch on the Kaban Wind Farm project to link to the supergrid.

The state government says it will create a jobs bonanza and power 100,000 homes. But it was her answer to a question by Cairns Post reporter Andreas Nicola that caught most attention.

The government is considering more permanent infrastructure for youth offenders. It’s something many have called for over past years. As more offenders are dealt with through the courts another facility will be necessary remember 1015 cars so far.

It’s good to hear the premier give an insight to where their (new) thinking is at but detention centres aren’t built overnight.

One thing is for sure though, if it’s ever built it will be used more than the government’s Wellcamp quarantine facility.

Jennifer Spilsbury, Editor