Pollies defend work on crime

FAR North state MPs are adamant they are listening to their constituents on the issue of escalating crime rates and advocating for better outcomes.

Recent police statistics showed the offence rate in the Far North QPS district had spiked by 16.6 per cent, a growth that was larger than anywhere else in Queensland.

Cairns City had some of the highest offence numbers for a single suburb in Queensland, which Cairns MP Michael Healy said was “unacceptable”.

“I was told recently that I’m the first state member for Cairns to attend the Cairns Childrens court in 18 years,” he said.

“I have also visited the state’s three youth detention centres and have spoken with incarcerated juveniles and those responsible for running the facilities.

“I have joined police and child safety officers on their evening patrols in and around Cairns … and I continue to meet with government and non-government agencies with the goal of getting better outcomes.”

Mr Healy said the government was making the biggest investment in policing in more than three decades.

“The police commissioner has publicly stated she will deliver a minimum of 150 extra police officers to … the Far North.”

Crime rates in Cape York remained alarming, with some towns witnessing more offences than they had people.

Mareeba also remained the Far North suburb with the second highest offence numbers for the second year in a row. Cook MP Cynthia Lui said community safety was her top priority. $50,000

“We are listening to the concerns of the community,” Ms Lui said.

She added: “I acknowledge the tireless efforts of many organisations across Cook who are doing incredible onground (work) in this space. PCYC Aurukun, PCYC Mareeba, the On-Country program run by Jabalbina Yalanji, Pormpuraaw Paanthu, to name a short few.”

Atherton’s offence numbers grew by 32 per cent from 2021 to 2022 while the Cassowary Coast also suffered steep crime growth in Tully and Innisfail. Hill MP Shane Knuth said regional centres were “reeling” at “pandemic proportions” of youth crime.

“The policies that are in place now are no deterrent and repeat offenders are committing crimes to get into youth detention centres,” Mr Knuth said.

He added: “This changes nothing and is clearly not breaking the cycle of youth crime or repeat offending.

“KAP will be … moving amendments to their proposed youth bill, which will include … the inclusion of KAP’s relocation sentencing policy as a third sentencing option.”