New unit lagging on crime statistics

A STATISTICAL review of crime figures in Queensland has not been released, more than 16 months after the Labor Government announced taxpayers would fork out $2.7 million on a new unit.

Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath announced the cash injection into the Queensland Government Statistician Office, to form the Crime Statistics and Research Unit (CSRU), in July 2017. The crime section of its website has not been reviewed since September 18, 2017.

Up until 2017, the Queensland Police Service had released the statistical review between September 30 and mid-October every year, detailing everything from crime trends, victims of crime and offenders, right down to breaking down offences. With the creation of the CSRU, that is no longer the case.

Ms D’Ath said in 2017 the creation of the CSRU was to ensure an independent review of crime stats and to take the responsibility away from criminal justice agencies.

“The CSRU must be independent and transparent in order to have the trust and confidence of the Queensland public,” Ms D’Ath said.

“It moves responsibility for reporting criminal statistics away from criminal justice agencies to a recognised and already independent statistician’s office.”

A Queensland Treasury spokesman said they were in the process of preparing a “number” of reports.

“The unit will ensure regular, independent releases, mapping crime trends over time,” the spokesman said.

“A number of statistical products are being prepared. Consultation across criminal justice agencies to better manage data collection is continuing.

“Data is expected to be released once this consultation has finished, along with the Crime Report, Queensland 2017-18.”