WHILE LNP/ALP TACKLE THE BIG ISSUE OF SANDWICH BOARDS WE LOOK AT LAW AND ORDER

People who have read this blog know I have been calling for legislative reform to address the law and order issues in our area for some time. The police at Operation Colossal have done a great job rounding up a prolific offender. Check out the Cairns Post Story at this link-
http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2011/08/03/176725_local-news.html
This highlights exactly what we've been saying. The other parties are too gutless to address the hard decsions as it relates to law and order. Chest beating about raising maximum penalties for select offences does nothing to address the real issues. While the ALP/LNP are tackling the big issues of sandwich board advertising, we're addressing law and order.

Below is the media release in full put out by me-

The Queensland Party Cairns candidate and spokesperson for Police, Corrections and Emergency Services Darren Hunt claims the recent arrest of prolific juvenile offender in Cairns highlights the need for law and order reform.

Mr Hunt said "The anti-social behaviour and crime in some suburbs has residents under siege. They have had a gutfulof this and some are even trying to sell their homes and move out as they can no longer put up with they are being subjected to. "
Ï have repeatedly called for law and order reform particularly in the area of the Bail Act, Juvenile Justice Act and the issue of parole. The advice provided by police proves once and for all that what I have been calling for is needed. The police did an excellent job in rounding up this offender and charging them with over 100 charges. When they kept this person in custody, there is an immediate impact on crime in our city. Not a slight decrease, but a nearly total elimination. By keeping one prolific repeat offender in custody the people of Cairns have woke up this monring and not found their house broken into, car stolen or belongings stolen or damaged."

Mr Hunt’s claims come after the Cairns Police task force Operation Colossal arrested and charged a well known prolific offender with 100 charges including assaults, robberies and burglaries. CCPIU Operation Colossal officer-in-charge Det Sgt Alisha Keogh was quoted in the Cairns Post as saying the boy’s arrest had made an immediate impact on crime rates in the city.
"In the short time that the offender has been in custody we’ve seen a significant reduction in crime," she said.
"For example, last night (Monday) there was only
Mr Hunt stated "This clearly proves that we have been saying. With reform to the Bail Act, Juvenile Justice Act and issuing of parole that would see prolific offenders kept in custody, you reduce your crime rates. It also frees up operational police to get back on the streets to conduct pro-active patrolling instead of being stuck behind computers dealing with the same offenders over and over again being released"back into the community. It provides a deterrent. Most importantly though, it places the protection of the community first and foremost and that is what effective law and order policy should start with.

The Queensland Party is the only one in the area prepared to tackle the big issues impacting on people in Cairns. While the LNP and ALP are arguing over whether someone can walk around with a sandwich board advertisement, we are getting on with providing solutions to address the law and order issues impacting on our city and developed a number of strategies to address concerns. This has to start with putting the protection of the community first and commencing legislative reform and, if given the honor to serve the people of Cairns, that is what I will do.”