Queensland Residents draws to the attention of the House the significant and worsening crime problems in regional Queensland, particularly youth crime in coastal and western areas such as Cairns, Townsville and Mount Isa. The criminal activity is having a severe negative effect on the communities in these areas and without immediate action the people of North Queensland will lose confidence in the Government.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to:

• reduce youth crime by a statistically proven 50% and overall crime by 30% in regional Queensland within 12 months; and
• adopt Relocation Sentencing incorporating the Petford Program for young offenders to ensure they are removed from problem environments and taught productive skills to aid in their rehabilitation.