Doubt cast on reforms

No evidence that measures will work

A REPORT into new legislation intended to combat the state’s youth crime problem has found there is insufficient evidence the reforms will work.

The Legal Affairs and Safety Committee has recommended the new Youth Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Bill be passed by the Queensland government regardless of it failings.

The youth justice reforms call for high-risk offenders aged 16 and 17 to wear GPS trackers as a condition of bail.

The legislation will require that courts to seek assurances from parents and guardians that young offenders will adhere to bail conditions before bail can be granted. Townsville has been ground zero in the battle against youth crime, with the Queensland government’s new Bill announced in the wake of Jennifer Board’s death in February.

The 22-year-old motorcyclist was travelling on Ross River Road when she was hit by a vehicle that was allegedly in pursuit of a stolen car with teenagers on board.

Just days before the incident, a group of teens were arrested after an alleged stolen car rampage through the city, which ended with three police officers sustaining injuries.

Last Friday night, another incident involving young offenders and an alleged stolen car in Railway Estate led to four out of the five teens involved being arrested.

The committee report, which was tabled in state parliament on Friday, found there was little evidence to show the proposed measures would be effective.

The report also questioned the extent to which alternative options were explored, however, the committee recommended the Bill be approved.

“In general, a sufficient level of information was provided to facilitate an understanding of the purpose of the Bill,” the report said.

In his foreword, committee chairman MP Peter Russo said the committee needed to look at whether the Bill was sufficient in regards to the rights of individuals.

“The committee heard many different points of view and suggestions for how to tackle the problem of youth involvement in criminal activity,” Mr Russo said.

“I appreciate that there were aspects of the Bill that were not popular with some stakeholders who argued that they would marginalise youth offenders.

“Other stakeholders thought that the Bill did not go far enough and called for a three-strike rule, mandatory sentencing and harsher penalties for youth offenders.”

The committee heard from many groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, during the consultation process.

The report, however, says there was no discussion of the views of those organisations and whether they supported or opposed the changes proposed in the Bill, and whether they made any suggestions as to regional alternatives.

Mundingburra MP Les Walker said it was the recommendation of the committee to proceed with the Bill.

He said it was critical the committee travelled to places like Townsville and Mount Isa to hear from the communities.

The MP said he looked forward to the legislation being enacted, saying it “will be important for the communities right across the state”.