Stint in the bush would break youth crime cycle

TUESDAY’S front page article in the Townsville Bulletin ( Out of control, 17/ 7) served as yet another stark reminder that the State Government needs to try something different when it comes to breaking the youth crime cycle.

Like many, I was shocked to read that the teen driver of a stolen car in a horror crash last year, which seriously injured three Ingham residents, had appeared in court 20 times since the age of 12.

It was also revealed during his appearance in court on Monday that the teen, now 17, had copped every sentencing option in that time; probation, community service, youth detention and a stint at the failed boot camp.

It’s time for the government to seriously consider Katter’s Australian Party’s youth relocation sentencing policy. Under our proposal, magistrates could effectively banish young offenders from the community in which they committed the crime. They would go to an approved property in a remote location to work on the land, learning life skills to be contributing members of society.

Discipline and respect for the law would underpin their rehabilitation.

The current system is clearly broken. I strongly support changing legislation which would allow offenders aged 17 years and under to be “named and shamed” in order to hold them accountable.

It’s about time the government grew a pair and took some action.