LNP Queensland

Minister for Youth Justice silent on gangs

Last Updated (DATE_FORMAT_LC2) DATE_FORMAT_LC2

2 September 2008

Stuart Copeland MP

The Bligh government was failing to tackle mounting gang violence on the Sunshine Coast and the entrenched gang culture on the Queensland-New South Wales border, the State Opposition said today.

LNP justice spokesman Stuart Copeland said Labor’s so-called Minister responsible for Youth Justice, Lindy Nelson-Carr, was nowhere to be found when it came to dealing with youth gangs and violence.

"Weeks after revelations of a flourishing youth gang culture in Queensland broke, the Minister for everything (Communities, Disability Services, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Multicultural Affairs, Seniors and Youth) has given us nothing," Mr Copeland said.

"Strong prevention, effective early intervention targeting young people on the fringe of gangs, and tough enforcement measures are needed to stop the spread of gangs in Queensland," he said.

"The Bligh government’s soft approach has already seen Labor Members vote down tough anti-gang legislation introduced by the Opposition in 2007.

"Tackling gang violence and this insidious sub-culture needs strong leadership.

"Anti-gang control orders and anti-gang offence legislation has been working effectively in many other jurisdictions, yet the Bligh government continues to keep its head in the sand on the issue.

"For 10 years the Beattie-Bligh government has hidden juvenile justice away and acted as if it doesn’t exist and the consequence of the failure is the growing menace of gang culture and violence.

"From the border, to Brisbane, to the Sunshine Coast and as far north as Cairns, youth gangs are a very real problem.

"Try telling victims of these violent young gangs that they aren’t a problem.

"The Minister for Youth Justice has failed to show any leadership."