Incoming Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has told ABC Radio that his proposed tough stance on young criminals won’t lead to more young people in prisons.
Crisafulli, who won the Oct. 26 election against Labor’s Steven Miles, has promised to cut youth crime through tougher penalties and early intervention programs.
The new leader discussed the importance of deterring would-be young offenders with the threat of stricter laws.
“At the moment, you’ve got kids in watch houses because the government hasn’t planned and delivered those things. We will,” he said.
“I do believe we do need corrective facilities. But we also need other alternatives.
“I’ve spoken about circuit-breaker sentencing, where we can send kids to remote areas that aren’t jails but give them the education, structure, and discipline to turn their lives around. I’ve spoken about early intervention skills.”
Crisafulli says his new government will deliver those laws in Queensland quickly.
“Stronger laws do act as a deterrent. Stronger laws do make sure there are consequences for bad behaviour. If you aren’t doing early intervention and rehabilitation, it means nothing,” he said.
Crisafulli says young offenders have not received the support they need under the current laws.
“At the moment, what’s happening in Queensland is there’s a 72-hour plan when a child leaves youth detention, and half the kids aren’t even getting that … 72 hours isn’t enough,” he said.
“We need a 12-month plan, six months intensive, to give every person the ability to turn their life around.
To Be Sworn In
Crisafulli and his deputy, Jarrod Bleijie, will be sworn into interim leadership when they meet with Governor Jeannette Young on Oct. 28.Crisafulli will become the official new premier once the state’s ballot count is finalised.
The centre-right Liberal-National Party looks set to govern with a majority, likely 48 seats to Labor’s 28, with 12 seats still in doubt.
Crisafulli gave a speech the day after the election, promising to work towards achieving everything his government had promised.
“The significance of what we have achieved is not lost on us,” he said.
“We asked Queenslanders for their support. They gave it in record numbers.
“We are determined to give them the fresh start which we promised we would deliver.”
Miles is speculated to remain as Labor leader.
“From here the task of all of our Labor MPs who have been successful is to rebuild our party and prepare to return to government at the next election and to hold the current government to account,” he said.
