Youth crime not an easy issue for local MPs

TODAY we publish the views and advocacy of our Far Northern state and federal politicians on the major issue of youth crime which our community is living with. Even though crime falls under state control we’ve asked federal MP for Kennedy Bob Katter, Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch and even Queensland Senator Nita Green for their opinions too.

Victims of crime have been many and there are concerns residents are starting to take policing into their own hands.

And as our stolen car rate for the year climbs towards the moon, outspoken anticrime campaigners ramp up their pressure on politicians.

For our four state MPs the issue is not a comfortable one and their seats are literally on fire with this one.

Cairns MP Michael Healy is often singled out for criticism from frustrated residents but in a region that has four Labor representatives he can hardly shoulder all the blame.

No one person should.

In fact, youth offenders are spread across our region and wreak their havoc without a care. You would presume four MPs covering our entire region would have at least some persausive powers in the halls of Brisbane.

For Mr Katter he’s long advocated for getting offenders out on country while Mr Entsch's take will appeal to those who bristle from taxpayers’ money continuing to flow to offenders’ households.

We invite readers to tell us —and ultimately our political leaders — what they think.

Send a letter to the editor at letters@cairnspost.com.au or text us on 0428 987 678. We can’t paint this youth crime issue as “too complex”.

We have to keep trying.