CRIME IN DAWSON ON THE RISE AS PREMIER CELEBRATES TOKENISTIC DROP

Queensland Premier Steven Miles has patted himself on the back for a 1 per cent drop in overall crime in the state, while criminal offences in Townsville and Mackay continue to rise.

In a statement released last week, the Premier celebrated the small reduction in crime and attributed the result to strong action taken by the government and the Queensland Police Service.

Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox says the celebration by the Premier of a “tokenistic drop in reportable offences is insulting” when the people of his electorate are fearing for their safety.

“The police are out here doing everything they possibly can to keep our communities safe, but the State Labor Government has been asleep at the wheel,” Mr Willcox said.

“The Premier is cherry picking the data to suit a certain narrative, but that narrative becomes insulting when the data shows that crime in regional communities, and especially in my electorate is increasing year on year.

“Everyone living in our electorate of Dawson has either been impacted by crime or knows someone who has, and there are residents in my electorate who are sleeping with weapons beside their beds because they’re afraid for their safety and the safety of their families.

“Across the state, car thefts have increased by 16 per cent, break-ins have increased by 20 per cent, and juvenile offences have increased by over 5 percent.

“And these young offenders are boasting online about their activities for clout.

“It’s become a game to them, if their mate steals an Audi, they have to go out and steal a BMW or a Porsche to continually one up each other.

“The competitiveness among these offenders is now getting so serious it is resulting in the deaths of innocent people trying to live their lives.

“For the Premier to come out in celebration of a 1 per cent decrease overall, it beggars belief.”

While criminal matters fall under State Government jurisdiction, the Federal Coalition has recently introduced an online notoriety bill in the hope that it will deter glorification of criminal activity online.

“This bill has been introduced into Parliament by the Coalition and would give the eSafety Commissioner authority to remove video content showcasing criminal activity from social media and digital platforms.

“The eSafety Commissioner was established by a Coalition Government back in 2015 to keep Australian citizens safe online, and at the time was a world first.

“Initially established to tackle severe online abuse and bullying towards children, it was expanded in 2017 to encompass abuse and bullying directed at adults, as well as the non-consensual sharing of intimate images.

“It is imperative that we now expand their remit and authority and ensure they have the power to protect our victims of crime.

“We need to start looking after the victims in the country rather than being soft on the criminals who repeatedly do the wrong thing.”