Farmer keeps failing
THE time is coming for serious questions to be directed to the Queensland Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women and its Minister, Di Farmer, who is also responsible for Youth Justice.
Readers may recall that in February 2020, an 11-year-old boy held a screwdriver to his carer’s neck when he demanded to be taken to a fast food outlet.
Nevertheless, it was not until he brandished a knife in an armed robbery that the child was placed on remand in Cleveland Youth Detention Centre (CYDC).
Shockingly, the boy had 57 charges pending against him over four months and had already been released on bail 10 times. It’s another consequence of Ms Farmer’s ad hoc legislation that repeatedly allowed juveniles to be released on bail.
Since being detained (to the time of writing), he has reportedly racked up another 49 offences inside CYDC.
Recently, the boy appeared before the Townsville High-risk Youth Court on yet another bail application, fortunately refused.
His solicitor highlighted relevant issues pertaining to this boy: he has significant mental and intellectual impairments and refuses medication; he will not obey curfews because he cannot grasp their concept, having the mental capacity of a three to five-year-old.
As such, he has little understanding of the difference between right and wrong.
Cautions and restorative justice efforts have had no effect.
The boy lacks family support even though he has been in state care for almost four months.
Currently, there is even a question of his fitness to stand trial.
Ms Farmer has frequently gone on record asserting that the public expects the welfare of vulnerable young people to be maintained and yet time and time again she fails.
Questions that come to mind include: Were the courts aware of this child’s mental health issues and if they were, why was he repeatedly released on bail?
If his condition had not been brought to the attention of the court, why not?
Where was the Department of Youth Justice, which must have been aware of his circumstances after multiple court appearances?
I shudder to think what has happened to this boy while he has been on the streets.
I agree with the boy’s solicitor that we can’t keep young people locked up forever. However, if they are a menace to society, what alternative is there other than incarceration?
Facilities such as CYDC are plainly unsuitable, however, we don’t seem to have appropriate institutions available.
While this matter is before the court, Ms Farmer cannot comment. However, once finalised, it is time for her to step up and give some explanations.
Perhaps the first should be why she should remain a minister.
JEFF WILLIAMS, Condon.