- The Crisafulli Government has delivered a new Designated Business and Community Precinct in the Mackay CBD as we continue to turn the tide on Labor's Youth Crime Crisis.
- The Precinct will arm police with stronger powers to target antisocial behaviour and restore safety where you live.
- Today's announcement comes a week after the Crisafulli Government passed nation-leading Breach Bail, Go to Jail reforms to crackdown on Labor's generation of serious repeat offenders.
- The Crisafulli Government is making Queensland safer, with more police, stronger laws, early intervention and rehabilitation, which has resulted in a 9.6% drop in victim numbers according to police data.
The Crisafulli Government has delivered a new Designated Business and Community Precinct in the Mackay CBD as we continue to make Queensland safer and turn the tide on Labor's Youth Crime Crisis.
The new precinct, which came into effect on 1 November, follows strong advocacy from the Member for Mackay Nigel Dalton and extensive consultation with the local community, who called for stronger action to address persistent antisocial behaviour after a decade of Labor's weak laws.
Today's announcement comes less than a week after the Crisafulli Government passed nation-leading Breach Bail, Go to Jail reforms in Parliament.
It also follows the success of the first Designated Business and Community Precinct in Maryborough, which came into effect on 1 July.
These Designated Business and Community Precincts have been introduced after Labor spent a decade weakening youth crime laws in Queensland and to:
- Arm police with stronger tools to immediately remove and ban offenders engaging in disorderly, offensive, threatening or violent behaviour in key commercial areas;
- Allow police to issue 24-hour move-on directions to offenders and banning notices of up to one month for repeat or serious offenders.
The reforms have also strengthened Jack's Law wanding powers and allow police to search and detect knives and weapons without a warrant in Designated Business and Community Precincts to prevent violence before it occurs.
While the stronger laws are holding offenders to account, police are also working alongside support services to address the underlying causes of antisocial behaviour.
This latest precinct forms part of the Crisafulli Government's Making Queensland Safer plan, which is delivering stronger laws, more police, early intervention and effective rehabilitation to restore safety where you live.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie said the new precinct would help restore safety in Mackay and prevent violent crime before it occurs.
"The Crisafulli Government is restoring safety in Mackay and turning the tide on Labor's Youth Crime Crisis by delivering the fresh start Queenslanders voted for – more police, stronger laws and fewer victims," Minister Purdie.
"This precinct is just one of the ways we are cracking down on Labor's generation of serious repeat offenders and comes less than a week after we passed nation-leading Breach Bail, Go to Jail reforms in Parliament.
"Our government is listening to the frontline and ensuring they have the laws, resources and support they need after Labor spent a decade weakening youth crime laws in Queensland which resulted in victim numbers rising by 193%."
Member for Mackay Nigel Dalton said the Crisafulli Government was listening to the Mackay community after Labor's decade of decline.
"I've been working closely with local businesses, police and community organisations to tackle anti-social behaviour across Mackay and make our community safer," Mr Dalton said.
"We've already seen what can be achieved when police, support services and the community work together, particularly around Bluewater Quay and the Mackay CBD.
"As a former police officer, I know the introduction of these new precincts is another important step in giving police the tools they need to tackle anti-social behaviour and keep our community safe."
Queensland Police Service Mackay District Officer Superintendent Dean Cavanagh said the new designated business and community precinct in Mackay would help keep the community safe.
"The designation of Mackay CBD gives police additional tools to respond to serious and repeated antisocial behaviour, and to help keep the CBD safe for everyone," Superintendent Cavanagh said.
"Our officers are already working in the area through targeted patrols and engagement with local businesses.
"We'll continue combining that enforcement work with close coordination across our partner agencies, including support for vulnerable people who need help."
