Faster Justice for Townsville with additional District Court Judge, under LNP crime plan
The LNP will appoint an additional District Court judge for Townsville as part of the LNP’s Faster Justice plan to put the rights of crime victims before offenders.
The policy is the latest announcement in the LNP’s Making Our Community Safer Plan to ensure victims see justice as quickly as possible and restore safety where you live.
Under the $21.5 million commitment, the LNP will also deliver a boost to the Director of Public Prosecutions for resources so cases can be prepared for court faster.
LNP Shadow Attorney-General Tim Nicholls said the LNP would fast-track the progress of cases with more resources to allow justice to be served faster.
“Justice delayed is justice denied, which is why the LNP will deliver Faster Justice for Queensland victims of crime,” Mr Nicholls said.
“The plan will deliver victims the justice they deserve, sooner and provide support along the way.
“Outrageously the backlog of cases in the Townsville District Court of greater than 12 months is sitting at over 20 per cent, and there were 534 criminal cases lodged last year.
“We will give the DPP the resources to ensure cases reach the courts as soon as possible and when they get there, the Courts will be able to hear those matters without delay.
“This is what our Courts have been calling for and what victims are demanding.”
The commitment follows the LNP’s announcement of a new $40 million Victims Advocate Service, which will provide a one stop shop for victim support from the start to end of the justice process.
LNP Candidate for Townsville Adam Baillie said victims had been let down by Labor, both in the community and in the Courts.
“The Townsville community is being held hostage by Labor’s Crime Crisis, and frustratingly it’s the same young faces again and again who our police and judges are seeing waltz through a broken system,” Mr Baillie said.
“Victims are in limbo while their cases are languishing in the system, but the LNP has the Right Plan to deliver them faster justice.
“The LNP will properly resource our courts with the support they need to clear case backlogs and stop the revolving door.”
Mr Baillie said Townsville was crying out for a Fresh Start to end Labor’s Youth Crime Crisis that had been arresting the city.
“Only by voting 1 LNP will Queenslanders get a Fresh Start,” Mr Baillie said.
“Labor and Scott Stewart are desperate to hold onto power, but unless we change the government, we’ll continue to get more of the same under Labor.
“This is the opportunity for a Fresh Start with the LNP’s Right Plan for Queensland’s Future.”
ENDS
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