Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton and Nationals candidate for Parkes Jamie Chaffey are backing their state Nationals colleagues in calls for the NSW Labor Government to take stronger action to tackle youth crime following the tragic death of a motorcyclist in Gunnedah earlier this week.
Mr Coulton said this incident has sent shockwaves throughout the Moree, Narrabri and Gunnedah communities.
“I know the Moree, Narrabri and Gunnedah communities are still reeling from this shocking tragedy,” Mr Coulton said.
“My thoughts have been with each of these communities, particularly the loved ones of the Narrabri man who tragically lost his life following a collision with a vehicle allegedly stolen by three 14-year-olds from Moree.
“Sadly, this incident is just the tip of the iceberg. Communities throughout my electorate have been dealing with youth crime for years, but over the past year it seems to have escalated and now it’s resulted in the death of an innocent man.
“It should never have come to this, but enough is enough and our communities deserve to see some action to tackle this issue and help them feel safe.
“I’ve been working with communities for years and have done what I can from a federal level, but crime and the court system is ultimately the responsibility of the state government.
“The NSW Labor Government announced a $26.2 million package to tackle regional youth crime in March last year, but we’re yet to see any tangible change on the ground – if anything, crime has only worsened. Back then, I questioned whether throwing more money at some of the existing youth organisations would make any difference when they don’t seem to be working currently. Something needs to change.
“My state Nationals colleague Brendan Moylan is calling on the NSW Government to take immediate action and deliver major legislative reforms to address this issue. Mr Moylan is calling for changes to bail laws so that courts cannot grant bail to repeat serious offenders, regardless of their age.
“I fully support these calls and back Brendan in his pursuit of real change.”
As the former Chair of the Country Mayors Association of NSW, Mr Chaffey led calls for a NSW Parliamentary inquiry into regional crime which the NSW Government eventually announced in March last year.
Three hearings were held in October – in Bourke, Broken Hill and Kempsey – but Mr Chaffey said he’s disappointed nothing has come of it since.
“There was talk of an interim report being released to get the ball rolling on the committee’s recommendations for reforms that would make a difference,” Mr Chaffey said.
“Where is that report? And why weren’t hearings held in more towns? This is an issue being felt across the entire Parkes electorate.
“It’s not something new; this has been going on for years. People have been screaming for change, but we are yet to see any practical solutions. What is it going to take for something to be done?
“If we do nothing, nothing will change.
“I’m also backing calls for the NSW Labor Government to do more on this issue before we see another senseless death.
“In the meantime, as the Nationals candidate for Parkes, I’ll be fighting to secure greater youth intervention and diversionary programs to help address some of the reasons our young people turn to crime in the first place. It’s well known that the earlier the intervention, the greater chance of reform.
“If I’m elected and the Coalition is returned to government, I’m hopeful that we can make some good announcements about positive diversionary programs in the Parkes electorate.”
