23 Jul “Intensive” On-Country program not a patch on KAP’s ‘Send ’em Bush’ policy: Katter

Despite what the Premier and Youth Justice Minister say, their attempt at adoption the Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) ‘Send ’em Bush’ won’t deliver the outcomes that Queensland desperately needs, the KAP Leader and Member for Traeger, Robbie Katter has said today.

Five months after the Government’s announcement that they were adopting the KAP ‘Send em Bush’ policy, the Premier and Youth Justice Minister announced today the Mount Isa would host the first Intensive On-Country Trial.

“You don’t have to dig too far into the detail of the trial to see that the Government’s attempt to roll out our KAP policy is missing the fundamentals needed to have success,” the KAP Leader said.

“Our ‘Send em Bush’ policy is clear that it must be mandatory, remote, have a minimum sentence, and have intensive rehabilitation, including vocation training.  What we have seen from the government is a trial that misses at least three of the vital elements.

“While the location may be remote, there is no mention of the program being mandatory, no mention of minimum sentences, and I still have big questions on how good the rehabilitation will be.

“The last thing we need is for troubled kid to get a free holiday, much like what happens when they get to visit their mates who are in the Cleveland youth jail.

“It’s great to hear the government using all the right words like ‘linking with employment’, ‘wraparound supports’, and breaking the cycle, however the real proof will be in the pudding,” he said.

The ‘Send em Bush’ relocation policy was developed in North Queensland, by North Queenslanders, with the traditional knowledge of the North Queensland First Australian peoples.

“North Queenslanders will be excited to see our ideas and policies evidently taking shape, but for the sake of our communities and curbing the insidious impact of youth crime, the Government must get serious, partner with those who have the ability and backing of community,” the member for Traeger said.

“For years now, crime has run out of control throughout North Queensland on the Government’s watch.  Time for tinkering around the edges has well and truly passed,” he said.

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