Queenslanders get behind push for stronger youth justice laws 

A petition signed by more than 7,000 Queenslanders calling for urgent reforms to Queensland’s revolving door youth justice system has been tabled in Parliament this week.  

Ninderry MP Dan Purdie sponsored the Beaumont family’s petition, which calls on the State Government to amend legislation to ensure repeat violent offenders remain behind bars. 

The proposed legislative amendments, to be known as Angus’s Legislation, follow the death of 15-year-old Angus Beaumont who was stabbed in the heart during an altercation with 2 repeat young offenders, one of whom was out on bail, in 2020. 

“In 2015 the Attorney General Yvette D’Ath started watering down the youth justice laws which has resulted in the youth crime crisis that is currently gripping our state,” Mr Purdie said. 

“Under the current laws, young repeat violent offenders are able to walk away from their crimes with little more than a slap on the wrist.  

“There’s no punishment, no consequences for actions, and innocent Queenslanders like the Beaumont family are paying the ultimate price.  

Ben Beaumont said he wasn’t hopeful anything would change at any time soon, given the ministers who wound back the legislation were back in the same portfolios. 

“Yvette D’Ath and Di Farmer were in charge when they changed the law that let young grubs like these back on the streets,” Mr Beaumont said. 

“The system is an absolute joke, and the government must think we’re idiots if they think we’re going to have any confidence that their reshuffle will have any impact on the youth crime crisis,” Mr Beaumont said.  

Mr Purdie said he applauded the courage of Angus’s parents, Ben and Michelle, who have been passionately advocating for stronger laws. 

“Meanwhile, the Premier is too busy focussing on the chaos and crisis that is plaguing the government, and communities across the state have been left to suffer,” Mr Purdie said. 

“Queenslanders deserve strong laws that put the rights of victims ahead of offenders, and it’s about time the Labor Government started listening.”  

EndsA petition signed by more than 7,000 Queenslanders calling for urgent reforms to Queensland’s revolving door youth justice system has been tabled in Parliament this week.  

Ninderry MP Dan Purdie sponsored the Beaumont family’s petition, which calls on the State Government to amend legislation to ensure repeat violent offenders remain behind bars. 

The proposed legislative amendments, to be known as Angus’s Legislation, follow the death of 15-year-old Angus Beaumont who was stabbed in the heart during an altercation with 2 repeat young offenders, one of whom was out on bail, in 2020. 

“In 2015 the Attorney General Yvette D’Ath started watering down the youth justice laws which has resulted in the youth crime crisis that is currently gripping our state,” Mr Purdie said. 

“Under the current laws, young repeat violent offenders are able to walk away from their crimes with little more than a slap on the wrist.  

“There’s no punishment, no consequences for actions, and innocent Queenslanders like the Beaumont family are paying the ultimate price.  

Ben Beaumont said he wasn’t hopeful anything would change at any time soon, given the ministers who wound back the legislation were back in the same portfolios. 

“Yvette D’Ath and Di Farmer were in charge when they changed the law that let young grubs like these back on the streets,” Mr Beaumont said. 

“The system is an absolute joke, and the government must think we’re idiots if they think we’re going to have any confidence that their reshuffle will have any impact on the youth crime crisis,” Mr Beaumont said.  

Mr Purdie said he applauded the courage of Angus’s parents, Ben and Michelle, who have been passionately advocating for stronger laws. 

“Meanwhile, the Premier is too busy focussing on the chaos and crisis that is plaguing the government, and communities across the state have been left to suffer,” Mr Purdie said. 

“Queenslanders deserve strong laws that put the rights of victims ahead of offenders, and it’s about time the Labor Government started listening.”  

Ends