The NSW Nationals are pushing for strong and immediate legislative reform to help solve the youth crime crisis, as hundreds of regional residents held rallies over the weekend.
MPs including NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders, Deputy Leader Gurmesh Singh, Member for Oxley Michael Kemp, Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson, Member for Clarence Richie Williamson, Member for Myall Lakes Tanya Thompson, Member for the Upper Hunter Dave Layzell, and Wes Fang MLC joined locals and police in Kempsey to take a stand against the Minns Labor Government’s inaction on the issue.
They also announced plans to put forward a bill to address the legislative issues and stop repeat serious youth offenders from holding regional communities to ransom.
It will include changes to the Bail Act to stop courts granting bail to serious repeat offenders, changes to doli incapax (the presumption that a child aged between 10 and 14 is incapable of committing a crime due to a lack of understanding of the difference between right and wrong), and amending the crimes sentencing procedure act to give more consideration to the harm that is caused to the victim.
Mr Saunders said it will offer a stronger solution than the Premier’s weak bail laws that have failed to make a difference in the year they have been in place.
“Youth crime is gripping every corner of every rural and remote community and it’s getting worse and worse by the day, so it doesn’t make sense to extend something that clearly isn’t working” Mr Saunders said.
“We are hearing more reports of home invasions, car thefts and assaults. Violent crime is becoming alarmingly common, and our residents and families are living in a constant state of panic and fear.
“The Minns Government’s narrow approach has allowed this crisis to escalate and the Premier is ignoring communities that are screaming for help.”
The Kempsey rally was one of a series of community crime events with one also held in Armidale, and plans for residents to gather in Moree on March 1.
“People are completely fed up and are turning to these events and rallies as a last resort to try and have their voices heard,” Mr Saunders said.
“They are scared on the streets and scared in their homes, and we need swift and decisive action, so they know we are taking every possible measure to keep them safe.”
