The NSW Nationals is pushing for strong and immediate legislative reform to help solve the youth crime crisis, as hundreds of regional residents held rallies over the weekend.
Member for Coffs Harbour and Deputy Nationals Leader, Gurmesh Singh joined locals, police and mayors in Kempsey on Sunday to take a stand against what they say is the NSW Government’s inaction on the issue.
They also announced plans to put forward a Bill to address 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 common law presumes that a child between the age of 10 and 14 years does not possess the necessary knowledge to have criminal intention – and amending the crimes sentencing procedure act to give more consideration to the harm that is caused to the victim.
Mr Singh 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 has been a massive issue for our community and the Minns Government’s narrow approach clearly isn’t doing anything to stop repeat youth offenders from carrying out crime sprees,” Mr Singh 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.
“People are completely fed up and are turning to these events and rallies as a last resort to try and have their voices heard.
“I stood with locals and my National Party colleagues to call for swift and decisive action to finally put an end to this crisis that is impacting so many lives.
“The Premier needs to stop sitting on his hands and take a stand here because families and residents are scared on the streets and scared in their homes, and they need to know we are taking every possible measure to keep them safe.”
The Kempsey rally was one of a series of community crime events with one also held in Armidale on Saturday, and plans for residents to gather in Moree on March 1.
