Member for Whitsunday welcomes breach of bail laws

Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm MP, right, discusses with YIRS service manager Dee Chapman the need for increased funding for youth services in Mackay.

Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm MP has welcomed changes to breach of bail legislation that were passed in the Queensland Parliament late last week.

“Under these changes, breach of bail is now a crime for children aged 10 to 17 years,” Ms Camm said.

“I have been calling for this for some time. Juvenile repeat offenders are causing havoc in the community and to deter these young criminals it was crucial that we reinstate the breach of bail offences that Labor scrapped in 2016.”

Ms Camm is now calling on the Member for Mackay and the Minister for Youth Justice to increase funding for youth services in regional communities to prevent children from becoming involved in criminal activity.

“This government talks about early intervention and supporting young people with complex needs, yet for my community of Mackay, Isaac and Whitsundays there has been not one increase in funding in the past decade.

“My local community’s service, YIRS, is now using reserve funding and making a loss each year to support young people — young people with complex mental health issues who are known to Child Safety and the youth justice system.

“I wish that it did not fall on deaf ears.”

Watch Amanda Camm MP’s speech to Queensland Parliament on the need for more youth funding.