As the Gold Coast looks for new ways to tackle the problem of young people stealing cars and driving dangerously, the city's mayor has called for new laws that would make GPS trackers and jail time non-negotiable. But not everyone agrees, with lawyers saying it would make things worse.
Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate has sensationally called for mandatory sentences for repeat juvenile offenders, saying he would leave the finer details to lawmakers but GPS trackers or stints in jail should not be ruled out.He says mandatory sentences are one solution and that judges are too sympatheticHe also accused Queensland's judiciary of being too sympathetic towards "kindergarten crooks", saying the state government should instead set the "ground rules" in legislation.
"My attitude is that for repeat youth offenders, laws have got to be strengthened so that [juveniles] don't just get released so easily," Mr Tate said."My wish would be that at legislation level, looking at mandatory sentences, so they [young people] know if they break into car and drive, automatically there will be a level of fines and a return detention."
"It's very concerning that the mayor thinks this is a good idea. It will just cause so many problems down the track."Gold Coast criminal defence solicitor Michael Gatenby says mandatory sentences are "no deterrent whatsoever".
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