The rate of serious repeat offenders in the youth justice system has doubled from 10 to 20% in just two years, Queensland is the car theft capital of Australia and the Labor Government has just rammed through Parliament laws that make every watchhouse in Queensland a youth detention centre. Insurance bills keep climbing – on cars and homes – fuelled in part by insurance claims for crime. We all pay for youth crime, whether as a victim or through our bills. All of this demonstrates the abject failure of this Government when it comes to youth crime.

That’s why it is incredible that a senior Government MP this week reportedly came out and said that youth crime is a “media beat-up”. He even tried to blame John Howard for the youth crime crisis! Talk about failing to take responsibility.
We need a youth justice system that provides consequences for offenders – not enabling them to offend one day, be arrested, released and free to offend again the next day. That’s the ‘catch and release’ system we now have. The only beat-up when it comes to youth crime is the constant refrain from the Government, amid the chaos and crisis, that their policies are working. They aren’t. Labor has failed on this. That’s why the rate of repeat offending has doubled in two years. And there must be consequences for that failure too – Queenslanders must hold this Government to account. The LNP continues to do this, and we will until polling day in 2024 – as well as putting forward our alternatives including removing the idea that detention is a last resort, empowering the courts to bring consequences for action and to instate early intervention programs that are gold standard.
THANK YOU TO TEACHER AIDES
This week is Teacher Aide appreciation week. I’m sure many of us can recall times at school when something had us ‘stumped’, and a teacher aide’s help enabled us to work through a problem, learn something new and move on to the next challenge. Thank you to all teacher aides for the vital work they do in supporting our teachers, and guiding our children on their journey through school.
WELL DONE TO THE BUSHRATS!
A magnificent victory for Tamborine Mountain Rugby League was had on the weekend when the Bushrats took home their 2023 premiership. Congratulations to the team, support crew, and to all the supporters who cheered them on. It has been terrific to see this club reinvigorated and kicking goals for the community!
THE POLISH PLACE
For 40 years, The Polish Place has set the bar high when it comes to tourism and hospitality on the Mountain. The sad news of this restaurant closing on 3 September 2023 brings for me a sense of gratitude for the hard work and dedication to our community and its businesses by Phil, Ania and their family. I thank them for leading the way with The Polish Place and for the true grit and determination showed in the face of destructive fire some years ago – determination that fire would not beat them.
Jon Krause
Member for Scenic Rim
scenicrim@parliament.qld.gov.au
07 5515 1100