Residents from the Rockhampton and Capricorn Coast Region today met with Federal Member for Capricornia, Michelle Landry, and State Deputy Opposition Leader, Mr Jarrod Bleijie MP, at a Crime Forum to voice their concerns over the spate of crime the area has been experiencing.
Hard-working Member for Capricornia, Michelle Landry, said that her office had been receiving a high number of contact from constituents who had experienced crime, or knew someone who had.
“Crime right across the Rockhampton and Capricorn Coast region has grown enormously in the past year.
“In the last quarter from the 2nd of January to the 1st of April, the Queensland Police Service reported on their online crime map over 3,500 crimes had been recorded.
“Locals are rightly frustrated at not feeling safe in their homes and are fed up with not being listened to by the local State MPs.
“In February, I called on the State MPs to step up and tackle this crisis head on. Yet there has been nothing but silence. Why must it take the Federal Member to take a stand on State Government issues to have them wake up and do something about it?
“For months now, Rockhampton and the Capricorn Coast have been in a choke-hold while youths have been on their crime rampage.
“Breaking and entering, stealing cars and property are taking a toll on victims. Not just emotionally but financially as well, with associated cost of the crime being left for victims to absorb,” Ms Landry said.
Data released earlier this year by the RACQ reported a hike in the cost of stolen vehicles in Queensland from $22 million in 2021 to $30.5 million last year. An increase of more than 36 per cent.
Ms Landry has been quick to call out the Palaszczuk Government’s intention to soften drug laws, with their plan to expand the Police Drug Diversion Program to include hard drugs such as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines and unlawful possession of prescription medication.
“We have crime at an all-time high in proportions that I have never seen before, yet the Labor Government are watering down laws and not focusing on what matters most to the community.
“Weakening laws does not send the right message when there are kids addicted to drugs, breaking into homes, cars and businesses and thumbing their nose at the justice system,” Ms Landry said.
The Deputy Opposition Leader, Mr Bleijie, said weaker laws and few police is leaving the people of Rockhampton and the Capricorn Coast to pay the price.
“Today we listened to story after story from locals affected by the youth crime epidemic.
“Behind every break in or stolen car is a victim.
“A Queenslander who must piece their life back together, pay for repairs, close their shop or cop insurance premium hikes.
“For two years, Queensland communities joined the LNP Opposition to fight for breach of bail to become an offence for young offenders before the State Government finally caved and adopted our policy word for word.
“But it cannot stop there. It is about consequences for actions, unshackling the judiciary and delivering gold standard early intervention.
“Every Queenslander has the right to feel safe in their own home,” Mr Bleijie said.
Following the forum, the Member for Capricornia, Michelle Landry, will be sending correspondence to the Premier with the concerns of those in attendance. Any response given will be published on Ms Landry’s social platforms.
