MP warns: City on the road to ruin
WITH at least 10 cars stolen in 24 hours, and a helicopter working overtime pursuing young offenders on the run, Townsville’s crime woes closely resemble Los Angeles’ during the 90s, according to the Katter’s Australian Party.
Speaking in Brisbane, KAP Member for Hinchinbrook Nick Dametto gave the state government a serve saying Townsville had gone to “absolute rack and ruin” in recent days and residents had had enough of the lawlessness.
“If this situation was happening in Brisbane right now, you would almost have the army coming in to restore order,” Mr Dametto said.
“I am asking this state Labor government to step up to the plate or step aside.”
He said there needed to be a harsh deterrent.
“Both Labor and the LNP voted against removing detention as a last resort and as a consequence, we are left with a continuation of this horrific youth crime crisis,” he said.
“If the KAP’S amendments had been passed, we would have had a scenario where every one of these offenders would have been sent to a re
mote location under our relocation sentencing policy.”
In a statement, Mundingburra MP Les Walker said community safety was paramount and people deserved to feel safe.
“There is a hard core group of repeat offenders in Townsville that commit the majority of the crimes, which is why we brought in the new laws,” he said.
“Everyone knows there is no single solution and this government won’t stop addressing this issue in a variety of ways.”
Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper said the amount of crime was unacceptable.
“This government has changed the law to target repeat offenders who cause harm
to the Townsville community, including reversing the onus of proof on receiving bail,” Mr Harper said.
Townsville MP Scott Stewart said what had happened in Townsville yesterday was “disgusting” and any instance of crime was unacceptable.
“We have given police tougher laws and more resources to keep the community safe,” he said.
“I expect these offenders to be arrested and brought before the courts.”
Minister for Police and Corrective Services Mark Ryan also spoke in parliament yesterday morning, decrying Townsville’s crime problem and commending the police response.