LNP Queensland

The LNP is calling for the closure of a legal loophole stating jail must be a ‘last resort’ for juveniles in the wake of new figures showing juvenile criminals are getting away with a slap on the wrist.

Figures released by the Queensland Police Service this week show:

LNP Leader Lawrence Springborg called on Premier Bligh to provide bi-partisan support to the LNP’s plans to introduce boot camps and remove the legal loophole in the Juvenile Justice Act.

"These new figures confirm serious and violent juvenile criminals are getting away with a slap on the wrist and it’s time the Beattie-Bligh Labor Government stopped making excuses for their soft on crime approach," he said.

"The LNP has introduced legislation into State Parliament to remove Labor’s laws that tell police, magistrates and judges that jail must be a last resort for even serious and violent juveniles.

"It is no longer a case of hearsay or suspicion that serious and violent juvenile criminals are getting away with a slap on the wrist, it is now official police statistics. It is fact. And these facts demand leadership and action, not more excuses.

"This is not the fault of police. They are doing an excellent job but their hands are being tied by the myriad of policies put in place over the last ten years by the Beattie-Bligh Labor Government that compels police to go soft and simply caution some of the most dangerous and often habitual juvenile offenders.

"In contrast, the LNP is committed to strengthening the juvenile justice system by putting community safety first and ensuring offenders are properly rehabilitated. I would call on Labor MPs to provide bipartisan support to the LNP’s commonsense solution."