A new initiative by the Department of Justice to target youth crime is to be trialled in Mount Isa.
Minister for Youth Justice, Di Farmer said the On Country youth program would include tougher action on bail and allocate new funding for the Mount Isa community-based crime action committee Community Connect.
“These changes target repeat offenders and make it crystal clear that community safety in Mount Isa comes first,” Ms Farmer said.
“We’ve announced a blitz on bail where we will appeal court decisions where appropriate and we will ensure that young people are held accountable for their actions.”
Ms Farmer said she had received representations, petitions and proposals for On Country programs while in Mt Isa for the Premier’s Community Cabinet meeting in November last year.
She said the Government had listened closely to residents across North Queensland about what they believed was best for their communities and their young people.
She said Mt Isa would receive $2.25 million over three years to trial the On Country program which will be co-designed and delivered by local Indigenous Community Elders, organisations and leaders.
“Courts and police will be able to refer teens in Mount Isa to the program and it will mean time spent with Elders, learning about culture and how they can positively give back to their community,” Ms Farmer said.
“It will specifically target repeat offenders and those who lack supervision, are estranged from family and have stopped going to school,” she said.
