Great Political Stunt
Just two youth offenders fitted with tracking devices
JUST two North Queensland juveniles have been fitted with a GPS tracking device as part of a state government crackdown on repeat offenders.
The Electronic Monitoring Device (EMD) 12-month trial was introduced in May last year, aimed at monitoring whether an offender obeyed their curfew conditions while on bail, but only six juveniles have been considered for a device.
The Townsville Bulletin can reveal four of those juveniles were accepted, including two in North Queensland, while the others were knocked back due to personal circumstance, no stable bail address or lack of parent or carer support.
JUST two North Queensland juveniles have been fitted with a GPS tracking device as part of a state government crackdown on repeat offenders.
The Electronic Monitoring Device ( EMD) 12-month trial was introduced in May last year, aimed at monitoring whether an offender obeyed their curfew conditions while on bail, but only six juveniles have been considered for a device.
The Townsville Bulletin can reveal four of those juveniles were accepted, including two in North Queensland, while the others were knocked back due to personal circumstance, no stable bail address or lack of parent or carer support.
Opposition spokesman for police Dale Last labelled the trial a “resounding failure” as it prepares to wrap up next week.
“The LNP supported the use of GPS tracking for young offenders, but Labor has failed when it comes to implementation,” he said.
The trial was first announced in February last year as part of the state government’s plan to crack down on repeat youth offenders.
It came just days after Jennifer Board, 22, was killed on Ross River Rd when a man allegedly chasing a stolen car allegedly lost control of his vehicle and hit her.
The trial started in May last year and was targeted at 16 and 17-year-old repeat offenders, but the first tracker wasn’t handed out until September.
Network coverage issues plagued the rollout in the early stages, and it was criticised by Opposition politicians for not having a broad enough eligibility group.
Youth Justice Minister Leanne Linard would not speculate about the future of the trackers, nor would reveal whether those fitted with a device reoffended while wearing one.
“An independent review of the electronic monitoring trial and programs that support compliance with electronic monitoring will be completed later this year,” Ms Linard said.
“Bob Atkinson’s report is being finalised.
“Both these reviews will inform the government’s final decision on the future use of electronic monitoring devices.”
Ms Linard said the government had given the courts everything needed to keep the community safe.
“Ultimately, the courts consider the evidence before them to determine how and when they will use these tools, including electronic monitoring devices.
“When courts consider young people to be an unacceptable risk to community safety, they are remanded in custody.”
According to Queensland Police data, 93 unlawful use charges were recorded against juveniles in March this year, compared with just 25 charges against adult offenders.
Break-in offences showed the same trend, with 105 charges laid against juveniles compared with just 24 against adults in March.
Currently, there are no juveniles fitted with a GPS tracker in North Queensland.
Mr Last said that the trial was an insult to victims of crime.
“If these offenders are old enough to steal a vehicle or break into a home, they are old enough to understand the principle of consequences,” Mr Last said.