General News
5 February, 2025
Adult crime, adult time pledge could be put to the test: Katter
The Member for Traeger says the youths behind an alleged arson could be facing adult punishments.
The youths accused of Friday night’s alleged arson could face more than a decade in jail if David Crisafulli’s “Adult Crime, Adult Time” laws are applied by the courts, says Robbie Katter.
The Traeger MP said police had laid one charge that was listed in the “tough on crime” laws that passed state parliament in December.
According to the criminal code, “enter premises with intent to commit indictable offence” carries a maximum prison sentence between 10 and 14 years.
“My office is of the understanding that, as the alleged offenders have been charged under Section 421 of the Criminal Code (enter premises with intent to commit indictable offence), the new Adult Crime, Adult Time provisions can be applied by the courts for this offence,” Mr Katter said.
“I will be watching closely to see how the courts handle this matter, and whether the new Adult Crime, Adult Time sentencing framework as it stands can provide any actual benefit to community safety and reducing the horrific rates of youth crime we have all been experiencing for far too long.”
Mr Katter said his own daughters had regularly attended the Leichhardt Gymnastics Club and he had been inundated with messages from frustrated residents since the weekend arson.