Making QLD safer Laws speech

Mr. Speaker,

I would firstly like to congratulate you on your new role as chair. I am certain you will treat all of us fairly and ensure robust debate. Your leadership will be critical as we tackle the pressing issues that face our state, and I look forward to contributing to these discussions under your stewardship.

I would also like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to my fellow members for their guidance over the last few weeks as I have navigated the intricacies of Parliament. For a new MP, regardless of how much life experience you have, stepping into this role is a significant adjustment. It is a reminder that public service requires collaboration, patience, and a willingness to learn. On behalf of all new members, I thank those who have gone above and beyond to ensure that this transition has been as seamless as possible.

Mr. Speaker,

I rise today with a profound sense of duty to speak to the Making Queensland Safer Bill. This bill represents not just a set of legislative measures, but a commitment—a promise—to the people of Queensland that their safety, their security, and their peace of mind are at the heart of this government’s agenda.

To frame my contribution today, I want to start by sharing a story. During my campaign, I made a promise to listen to the stories of the people in my community, and today, I bring one of those stories to this House.

I had the privilege of meeting many remarkable residents who call Pumicestone home. These are people who have built their lives in our community, who contribute to its character, and who deserve to feel safe in the places they live, work, and raise their families.

One evening, while door-knocking on Bribie Island, I met Heidi and Clint Luck. Their story is a powerful reminder of why the Making Queensland Safer Bill is so urgently needed.

In the early hours of August 11, Heidi and Clint experienced a terrifying home invasion—a nightmare no family should have to endure. Awakened by the sound of their bedroom door opening, Clint discovered intruders rifling through their belongings. Thinking at first it might have been his nephew, he called out, only to be met with an unfamiliar and chilling voice. Without hesitation, Clint sprang into action.

Three teenage boys—three intruders—had forced their way into their home. Clint, acting on pure instinct, chased them out to protect his wife and their three children, who were fast asleep. In that moment, Clint couldn’t stop to consider whether these intruders were armed or how dangerous they might be. His only focus was the safety of his family.

Heidi, still shaken from the ordeal, described the chaos and fear that filled their home. For days, they struggled to sleep, feeling vulnerable in the one place they should feel safest—their home.

Sadly, Heidi and Clint’s experience is not an isolated one. It is part of a growing pattern of youth crime that is leaving families across Queensland feeling exposed and unsafe.

During another visit, this time in Ningi, I spoke with a couple who showed me video footage of their new car being stolen by a 14-year-old. They recounted how the car was eventually found in a pine forest—damaged, trashed, and unrecognizable. What struck me most was not just the material loss but their sense of helplessness. They didn’t know what consequences, if any, the offender faced. They were left in the dark, unable to get answers or closure.

This is unacceptable, Mr. Speaker.

The problem with youth crime has been ten years in the making, only ten years? and it will take time to turn around. For the past decade, we have tried the path of simply cuddling young criminals, and it has failed. But it hasn’t just failed us; it has failed the young people as well. We need to shift our approach.

From 2019 to August this year, the number of serious repeat offenders each day skyrocketed by 58%. This year alone, more than 50,000 youth crime offences have been committed in Queensland communities that we are aware of . Youth offenders stole almost 7,000 cars in the first six months of this year alone.

These statistics paint the clearest picture of the desperate need for tough laws to fight youth crime. Labor has been hiding the true state of the youth crime crisis from Queenslanders. This data is clear—while youth criminals were rummaging through Queenslanders’ homes, Labor was misleading Queenslanders about how bad the youth crime crisis had become.

And as Queenslanders grapple with these harsh realities, the conversations have shifted in a way that should alarm us all. DAvid Cris said The conversation about where to leave your keys in your house—that is not normal. The conversation about whether a road is a known hotspot for hoons or stolen cars and which way to drive to work—that is not normal. The conversation about which car park is safer at a shopping center—is not normal.

Yet, these are the conversations people are having not just here but right across the state.

The Queensland youth crime crisis undoubtedly has its origins back to 2015, when the former government proudly boasted about watering down the laws. Victims called for change. Queenslanders voted for change. And we are doing what we said we would do—”Making Queensland Safer” laws will be laws by Christmas.

Mr. Speaker,

If you murder someone, that’s an adult crime—adult time. If you wound someone—adult crime, adult time. If you violate the sanctity of someone’s home and you break in and rob them—well, adult crime, adult time. If you make the choice to commit adult crimes, you should know we have made the choice to ensure there are consequences for that behavior. It’s a strong message, but it’s a necessary one.

The former Premier recently criticised us for committing to lowering youth crime and lowering victim numbers and said it could not be done. It might be his attitude—it’s not ours. When his government removed consequences for actions, they created this generation, and it appears that everyone but those opposite understands that if the laws are weak, more crimes will be committed.

The young criminals know this. For a number of crimes, when a young person turns 18, they stop offending. They know that depending on which side of 18 they are, there will be different consequences. Take robbery, for example. In the 2022–23 financial year, youth offenders committed 1,347 offenses, whereas 18- to 24-year-olds committed the same offense 475 times. That’s a 65% decrease in the offending rate after 18.

Punishment does matter. Consequences for actions do matter. We are sending a message: if you do the crime, you will be punished.

This bill prioritizes victims. It removes outdated principles that placed detention as a last resort, ensuring that the rights and safety of victims are front and centre in our justice system. No longer will victims like Heidi and Clint feel unheard. Their stories will inform the justice process, and their voices will guide its outcomes.

The bill also includes vital measures to improve transparency. The opt-out victim information register will ensure that families affected by crime are no longer left in the dark. This change is a direct response to the frustration and helplessness felt by so many in my community.

Mr. Speaker,

This is about more than just punishment. This is about prevention. The Making Queensland Safer Plan combines strong deterrents with proactive interventions. Programs aimed at diverting young people from crime and addressing the root causes of offending are key to breaking the cycle of criminal behavior before it begins.

As someone who has lived in Pumicestone for over a decade, I know the resilience of our community. I also know its frustrations. Our people are hard-working, family-focused, and deeply invested in their homes and neighborhoods. They deserve a government that stands with them, that listens to their concerns, and that takes action to protect them.

This bill is not just about enacting laws; it’s about restoring hope. Hope that families like Heidi and Clint’s can sleep soundly in their beds. Hope that communities like Ningi can feel safe again. Hope that Queensland can be a state where safety is not a privilege but a right for all.

In closing, Mr. Speaker,

I urge all members of this House to reflect on the stories of their own constituents. The Making Queensland Safer Bill is a response to those stories—a response to the real, lived experiences of Queenslanders who are crying out for change.

So I commend this bill to the house. Let us show the people of Queensland that their safety is our priority. And let us reaffirm our commitment to building a safer and stronger state for generations to come.