STATE SLAMMED FOR CRACK AT MAGISTRATES

BLAMING magistrates for the current youth crime woes sweeping North Queensland has been slammed as “inappropriate” and “without foundation” by the state’s peak legal group.

Police Minister Mark Ryan yesterday conceded the State Government would consider making changes to the Youth Justice Act but blamed magistrates for some recidivist young offenders repeatedly being granted bail.

Labor has announced a fivepoint plan to tackle spiralling juvenile crime problems in North Queensland on the back of major community concern in Cairns and Townsville.

Much of the criticism has been aimed at changes to the Youth Justice Act which came into effect in December and provides nine reasons why young criminals should be granted bail “despite unacceptable risk”. Mr Ryan said magistrates and courts were “not immune to criticism” and should be called out when they made the wrong decision.

“Quite frankly I think they have got it wrong in a number of instances recently,” he said.

“They have to make decisions which fulfil the intention of the legislation (which) is clear, community safety comes first. Courts should be giving consideration to remanding young people who are a risk to community safety.

“If that intention is not clear to the courts, or anyone else for that matter, the government will look at options to amend the legislation.”

But Queensland Law Society president Luke Murphy said it was not justified and police had always had the power to appeal decisions if desired.

“There is nothing to our knowledge that indicates any magistrate has incorrectly applied the Youth Justice Act since it was amended by the Palaszczuk government last year,” he said. “Unless there is some clear indication that a magistrate has incorrectly applied the law, it is not appropriate to criticise them.”

The five-point plan, which Mr Ryan announced in Cairns yesterday, will include a 24hour co-responder program between police and Youth Justice and an on-country program for young indigenous offenders.

Mr Ryan said the government would also review court bail decisions, police would further monitor those on bail and $2 million would be given to community-based organisations for local solutions.

He said the plan would be enacted “as soon as possible”.

Mr Ryan said the on-country program would be put out to tender.

Queensland Police Union boss Ian Leavers said the union would now be lodging submissions with the State Government about how to keep recidivist young offenders behind bars.

“Bail is a privilege not a right and juvenile offenders need to be kept in jail if they abuse this privilege,” he said.

Police Deputy Commissioner Paul Taylor said the key for police would be writing comprehensive objections to bail for recidivist offenders to put before the court.

“(Police) get the effects of crime on the victims.”