Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) leader Robbie Katter has called on the Queensland Government to offer $1,500 security grants to people affected by crime in communities that have a property offence crime rate that is more than double the state average.
Mr Katter says the move would apply across crime-riddled communities like Cairns, Townsville and Mackay.
The annual round of grants, which would be open to property and business owners, would provide a “dollar-for-dollar” contribution up to $1,500 for those who invest in security measures such as CCTV cameras, alarms, bollards and bars and security screen installation.
The funding pool would be capped at $10 million a year, which would assist at least 6,500 property or business owners who wished to take up the dollar-for-dollar incentive.
“This crime wave doesn’t discriminate, people have packed up their bags and left towns, as well as businesses who are under siege already have, or are prepared to, shut up shop as a result of crime, and this is a crying shame in every instance,” Mr Katter says.
“If we are to continue to live with property crime of this magnitude, then the least our Government can do is be proactive in assisting innocent, hardworking people that are being driven to the wall to protect themselves.
“This is a small gesture to show the Government is aware of the crisis situation in these regions, and that they shoulder at least some of the responsibility for it.”
The state average for offences against property is 373.48 per 100,000 ERP (estimated resident population), and there are currently 18 QPS districts across Queensland that have a crime rate (for offences against property) that is more than double this average.
Mr Katter said North and regional Queensland communities were over-represented when it comes to property crime data.
“You’ve got Cairns with 835.06 per 100,000 ERP and Townsville with 885.43 per 100,000 ERP,” he says.
Meanwhile, Mackay’s is 749.20 per 100,000.
“These grants would of course just be a short-term solution, and to ensure crime is eventually controlled the KAP will continue to call on the Government to make some real changes, such as supporting our Relocation Sentencing policy for recidivist youth offenders,” Mr Katter says.
Image: Supplied
