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.”
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.
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