100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

MP speaks out as youth crime committee dissolved after political tension

Do you have a news tip? Click here to send to our news team.

Proposed sport complex could create 300 jobs by 2027

More details about a proposed sport and recreation centre that could attract about 350,000 visitors each year have been revealed. Plans for the facility, which More

Brewing company expands with new waterside venue

A Sunshine Coast craft brewer combining its beer with food has opened in a third location. The Moffat Beach Brewing Co has pulled off a More

Work to start on key section of foreshore amid $13m boost

A revamp of a well-known beachside area is about to get underway, bolstered by a $13.3 million funding injection. Minor construction works for Stage 2 More

Photo of the day: footprints in the sand

A walk along Kings Beach at Caloundra is the perfect start to a day. This photo was taken by Ruth Fiechtner. If you have a photo More

Mum accused of poisoning baby in $60k social media scam

A mother has been accused of giving unnecessary prescription medicines to a one-year-old girl to grow her social media profile and gain $60,000 in More

Sami Muirhead: murder most foul on the jetty

After a recent visit to K’gari (Fraser Island), I have decided to rename the jetty at Kingfisher Bay ‘The Murder Jetty’. If you have been More

A parliamentary committee tasked with tackling Queensland’s youth crime problem and led by a Sunshine Coast MP has been dissolved after bipartisan support disintegrated.

The Youth Justice Reform Select Committee was established in October last year to investigate possible reforms to battle rising youth crime and support options for victims.

But last week the state government moved a motion to disband the committee after tensions flared over a delayed interim report that would present recommendations.

The committee was chaired by independent Member for Noosa Sandy Bolton, with three MPs each from Labor and the LNP.

Ms Bolton said she was saddened a report that could have benefited Queenslanders would not be tabled.

“That we have not delivered a bipartisan agreement so far, as needed by Queenslanders, has been personally and otherwise deeply disappointing,” she said while supporting the motion.

In a press release, Ms Bolton said the committee had been working towards the completion and tabling of the interim report for six months. This incorporated 26 meetings, 13 public hearings, nine public briefings, 220 submissions and multiple site visits.

“Despite the workshops, multiple meetings and extensions over a number of weeks to consider and approve the draft interim report, at the adoption meeting the report failed to achieve a majority under the current voting rules, which was deeply saddening,” she said.

“This (happened) even though the ability was still there to raise any concerns via a statement of reservation or dissenting report, which is standard in all committees.

“An outcome where there is no report tabled, especially given that we have developed and agreed on many substantive comments and recommendations, is unacceptable.”

The committee was tasked with delivering solutions to youth crime. Picture: Shutterstock

Leader of the House and Energy Minister Mick de Brenni said it was disappointing that politics had been played during what was intended to be an independent and bipartisan effort to deliver crime solutions.

“It is disappointing but it is not surprising,” he told parliament.

“This motion is a serious motion, but so is the subject matter that this committee has been charged to look into.”

The interim report was intended to update Queenslanders on the progress of the committee on potential reforms to stem growing youth crime.

Mr de Brenni claimed the LNP members had not treated the crime issue or committee seriously, digging their heels in to prevent the report being released.

“It is now crystal clear that the LNP opposition have no intention other than to play politics,” he said.

“They are actively, through their actions, delaying reform that could offer justice to Queenslanders.”

But the LNP members of the committee argued they were not given enough time to consider the report and its recommendations.

“The government has shut down a committee because they were worried about what it might uncover if it continued,” Laura Gerber, Jim McDonald and Sunshine Coast MP Dan Purdie said in a joint statement.

“The LNP approached this committee with political goodwill because victims of crime deserved change.”

Given more time and opportunity, the LNP said it would have delivered solutions within the committee.

The motion passed with 49 votes from Labor MPs in favour to 30 in opposition from the LNP.

Ms Bolton has now been appointed to the Community Safety and Legal Affairs Committee, along with the Community Support and Services Committee.

“Even though I am disappointed at what has occurred, that the results of this work is now public is positive news, and I look forward to seeing action as a result from government in the interests of greater safety now and into the future,” she said.

Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. You must include your name and suburb.

Subscribe to SCN’s free daily news email

Hidden
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
[scn_go_back_button] Return Home
Share