The premier admits his planned youth justice reforms will put a strain on the state's watchhouses and detention centres. A parliamentary committee probing the government's legislation moved to Townsville, with residents venting their frustrations about the youth crime problem plaguing the city.
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00:00Amelia Chaplin thought her high-set Townsville house would protect her from break-ins.
00:08So they've jumped on shoulders and they've come through these windows up here.
00:12Early one morning, intruders searched through her house, found her keys and stole her car.
00:18I'm quite happy that I slept through it because not knowing if I was to wake up and startle them,
00:25like what could have happened in that situation too.
00:28Townsville residents have shared their thoughts on the government's proposed new laws targeting youth crime,
00:34including Sandra Wiley, who was nearly rammed into oncoming traffic by a stolen vehicle.
00:41I've had nothing to help me with the consequences of this fellow's actions.
00:49While most told the parliamentary committee they support longer sentences for young offenders,
00:55some have their doubts.
00:58These kids do not care. They're not frightened from anybody.
01:02The committee is hosting two days of hearings. Townsville is the only stop outside of Brisbane.
01:09Townsville is ground zero when it comes to youth crime.
01:12During the election, the LNP tapped into the city's frustrations.
01:17We need the LNP's Making Queensland Safer laws and the only way we're going to get that
01:23is if the people of Townsville vote for change.
01:26The messaging worked. The seats of Townsville, Munding Borough and Thuringowa all flipping from Labor to the LNP.
01:35In a fast-track process, the committee will hand its report to Parliament on Friday,
01:40with the government eager to fulfil its promise of new laws by Christmas.
01:44But the Premier concedes if passed, they'll increase pressure on detention facilities already at capacity.
01:52There are going to be some challenges. There is.
01:56But long term we believe we have a system that will create fewer victims.