THE landmark crime legislation Making Queensland Safer Bill is officially law after being passed through State Parliament with hopes of decreasing crime figures.
The Ipswich crime figures for the year so far sit at 29,225, having slightly decreased from last year’s figure of 31,004.
Last year’s recorded figure was the largest in the past 25 years, with the least reported crimes coming in 17,091 in 2002.
As promised, Queensland will go to Christmas with stronger youth crime laws, including Adult Crime, Adult Time, to restore consequences for actions and safety where you live.
The suite of measures gives police the powers they have asked for to keep the community safe, and courts the ability to sentence serious repeat offenders with punishments that fit the crime.
The Queensland Children’s Court will now open to victims, their families, and the media.
The new laws include Adult Crime, Adult Time, removing detention as a last resort, allowing courts to consider a youth offender’s full criminal history.
Adult Crime, Adult Time will apply to 13 of the most serious offences including murder, manslaughter, unlawful striking causing death, grievous bodily harm, wounding, serious assault, home and business break-ins and robbery, and dangerous operation of vehicles.
State Member for Ipswich Jennifer Howard said the Opposition did not agree with the process and would continue to hold the Government to account.
“The Labor Opposition is committed to making sure every Queenslander is safe and feels safe in their community,” she said.
“While we did not stand in the way of the LNP Government using their big parliamentary majority to pass these laws, we do not support how they did it.
“We will be holding the Crisafulli LNP Government to account to deliver on their promise to drive down crime, to intervene early and to make Queensland safer.”
Premier David Crisafulli said the Making Queensland Safer Laws delivered on a promise to Queenslanders, outlined in the Government’s 100 Day Plan.
“These laws are for every Queenslander who has ever felt unsafe and been a victim of youth crime across our state,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“Queenslanders voted for it, we’ve delivered it, and now Adult Crime, Adult Time will be law before Christmas.
“These laws are the first strike back against the youth crime crisis to start restoring safety where you live.
“We have restored consequences for actions, and put victims’ rights ahead of offenders, as they always should have been.”
Police Minister Dan Purdie said these strong new laws were what police had been asking for to fight the youth crime crisis.
“When our police officers called for backup, Labor simply didn’t send it,” Mr Purdie said.
“Queensland Police officers now have another weapon in their arsenal – strong laws.”
Prior to the legislation passing through Parliament, Labor held an emergency meeting over a split on the youth crime vote, with State Member for Cooper Jonty Bush threatening to quit the Party.
Ms Bush reportedly threatened the caucus she would resign, having “lost confidence” in Opposition Leader Steven Miles and the values of the Labor Party, but was dissuaded.
