Katter’sK appeal for crime victims

A NORTH Queensland MP is urging the government to lock in protections for victims of crime who are at risk of facing prosecution after confronting criminals.

Speaking to media in Townsville on Wednesday, Katters Australia Party leader and Traeger MP, Robbie Katter, appealed for the government to formalise strong protections for victims of crime.

While he called for action, he said he did not encourage acts of vigilantism – or people taking to the streets with “torches and pitchforks” in response to crime.

“… This is talking about reasonable people defending themselves, their property – and when the government’s not helping them, they should have some rights and should have some protections,” Mr Katter said. His calls come after 21year-old Townsville woman Zali Sturgess was allegedly ambushed in an attempted roadside carjacking on Denham Lane in the city.

Police investigations into the incident are continuing.

He raised the issue of instances where people had been prosecuted for taking action against criminals offending against them or their property.

“… We’re going to get more of this because the rates of criminal activity keep increasing,” he said. When asked what kind of protections the party would be seeking, Mr Katter did not provide a specific example.

But he said North Queensland residents who were facing jail time after confronting juvenile offenders were increasingly coming to his office.

“I don’t think these people, in cases where they’ve reasonably acted to protect themselves or their property – they shouldn’t be subject to prosecution, but they’re still ending up in court,” Mr Katter said.

He said his statements were not a “call to arms”, but the issues of provocation and self defence needed to be investigated.