Federal Member for Groom, Garth Hamilton, has called on the Albanese Government to take decisive action against Australia’s crime crisis, urging tougher federal legislation to support state efforts.
Speaking in Parliament this week, Mr Hamilton stressed the need for a national approach, arguing that stronger federal leadership is essential to tackling rising crime rates.
“For too long, the balance between early intervention and deterrence has favoured criminals over victims. This shift is necessary to ensure Queensland communities are safer, and I wholeheartedly support Premier Crisafulli’s policy.
“While it’s still early days, the Queensland LNP Government’s new ‘Adult Crime, Adult Time’ laws are exactly what our state needs,” Mr Hamilton said.
Mr Hamilton went on to underpin the need for all levels of government to do their bit, and made it clear that state-level reforms alone won’t be enough.
“Crime is a national issue, and it requires a strong federal response,” he said.
“Every level of government has a role to play and the Federal Government must do its part.”
While supporting state and local efforts, Mr Hamilton underscored the critical role of national leadership, particularly in addressing the flow of illicit drugs into Australia.
“Local councils can improve community safety through lighting, CCTV, which is why in government the Coalition supported such efforts through the Safer Communities program. The State Government, of course, plays a prominent role through enforcement, the courts, intervention and policing.”
“The Federal Government has a responsibility, and the former Coalition Government took action through initiatives such as the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation, tougher customs controls and the Safer Communities Program.
“We must continue to do our part – especially in stopping drug trafficking at the border and knife crime.”
Mr Hamilton criticised the Albanese Government for weakening and undermining frontline defence against drug importation, failing to act on illegal tobacco or to deliver harmonised laws on knife crime.
“Australian Border Force maritime and aerial surveillance patrols have been cut, undermining efforts to keep criminals, weapons and drugs off our streets,” he said.
“Aerial patrol hours have been slashed by 20.7%, and maritime patrol days by 12.2%. This weakens our frontline defence against drug trafficking.
“When we say Labor is soft on crime, this is exactly what we mean,” Mr Hamilton said.
The Coalition has repeatedly warned that failing to crack down on drug trafficking would only fuel the crime crisis and harm our youth.
“I don’t want to see more kids put at harm, used by drug gangs and ultimately end up in detention – I want to see fewer kids committing the sort of heinous crimes that have plagued our state. That starts with keeping drugs out of their hands.”
Mr Hamilton has also backed tougher bail laws, criminalising online coercion, and tackling the glorification of online content depicting drug use, and property crime for the purpose of increasing a person’s notoriety.
ENDS.
Media Contact: Greta Dwan 0414 211 908
You can view Mr Hamilton’s speech here: https://youtu.be/hnLshXvoHrs
See the Coalition’s full plan for safer communities here: https://www.liberal.org.au/our-plan/safer-communities
