PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk has refused to take control of Townsville’s horrific youth crime crisis after being pressed on the issue by Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto. 

In a Question Without Notice asked in parliament this morning, Mr Dametto challenged the Premier to take ownership of combating youth crime and detail what she will do as leader of the state to personally intervene to end it. 

“I felt compelled to take the Premier to task on this matter given residents have lost confidence in her Ministers’ ability to bring crime under control,” Mr Dametto said. 

“Disappointingly, she gave a predicable answer, hiding behind Labor’s weak youth justice laws that were recently passed which, if the last two weeks are anything to go by, have done absolutely nothing to curb youth crime. Increasing police numbers and police arrests means nothing when the courts let these kids out with a slap on the wrist to continue ruining innocent people’s lives.” 

Mr Dametto said he was yet to receive a response from the Premier to his letter sent on May 17 demanding that she address the people of Townsville at a public meeting to explain what actions the government will take to end the crime crisis. 

“The poor response from the Premier today and her lack of a response to my letter last week tells me she’s either been badly misinformed by her Ministers or she just doesn’t care. Night after night, people are living in fear of their homes being broken into, assaulted or having their valuables stolen. Labor is stuck with their head in the sand to this reality,” Mr Dametto said. 

“We’ve already seen Labor toy with the idea of raising the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14, despite their denials. It’s time the Premier showed some leadership and got her party back under control from the do-gooders who have caused nothing but pain for victims of crime. 

“Katter’s Australian Party will continue to hold this shambles of a government to account until they wake up to themselves get tough on criminals.”