Shock report echoes KAP sentiments for Relocation Sentencing

ON BEHALF OF KAP DEPUTY LEADER AND HINCHINBROOK MP, NICK DAMETTO

A report published today by the Justice Reform Initiative highlights the ineffectiveness of Queensland’s traditional correctional and detention systems and supports principles of alterative detention models with a focus on alcohol and drug treatment.

Hinchinbrook MP and Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) Deputy Leader, Nick Dametto, said the report reinforced many of the same principles that would be achieved with KAP’s Relocation Sentencing Policy.

“Like every report, this one contains some positive and negative things, and there is a strong emphasis on the need for alternatives to the traditional detention model and the need to focus on alcohol and drug treatment, both of which make up the foundations for KAP’s Relocation Sentencing Policy,” Mr Dametto said.

“However, there are parts of it that KAP would never agree with such as raising the age of criminal responsibility and ‘embracing’ the human rights framework above other competing objectives.

“The data can be analysed in hundreds of different ways and I am certain the State Labor Government will cherry pick the parts of the report that support their misguided agenda.

“KAP’s ideology is to get child offenders away from the negative influences and vices they find in the cities with their regular peer groups and families.

“We believe that KAP’s youth crime policies satisfy both sides of the argument. It holds child offenders to account but also reforms them in a meaningful and therapeutic way setting them up to return to society where they can live productive, rewarding and crime free lives.”

The report was critical of traditional justice methods, claiming that Queensland’s adult prison population had increased by more than 44 per

2 teaspoons ground cumin

2 teaspoons dried oregano

1 medium onion, diced

1 cup pearl couscous

½ cup feta, reduced fat

Tzatziki

½ cucumber, finely chopped cent in the last 10 years. More children in Queensland are also reported to be incarcerated than in any other state in the country with an average of 267 children incarcerated each night.

In terms of cost, Queensland spends

$1 billion annually on prison and detention facility expenses.

“The report calls out the Palaszczuk Government to adopt a smarter approach to justice reform and I couldn’t agree more,” Mr Dametto said.

“The time for change is now and it will take more than a cabinet reshuffle to fix this issue. The entire youth justice framework needs to be put in the scrap pile and built again from scratch.”

Serves: 4

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 25 minutes

2 ½ serves per portion

Ingredients

1 zucchini, diced, 1cm

1 red capsicum, diced, 1cm

1 eggplant, diced, 1cm

3 tablespoons olive oil

300g chicken breast, diced, 1cm

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 cup natural yoghurt, reduced fat

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Method

PREHEAT oven to 180°C.

ADD zucchini, capsicum and eggplant to large roasting pan and drizzle with a tablespoon of olive oil. Roast in oven for 20 minutes.

HEAT another tablespoon of oil over medium heat in a large frypan. Add chicken slices, half the garlic, cumin and oregano, stirring until chicken is cooked through. Remove from pan. ADD remaining oil over medium heat in pan. Add onions and sauté for 2 minutes. Add in couscous and ½ cup of water. Reduce heat and cook for 5 minutes until water is absorbed.

Use fork to fluff up couscous.

SQUEEZE juice from cucumber with hands. ADD yoghurt, splash of oil, lemon juice and remaining garlic in small bowl and mix through cucumber.

LAYER couscous, vegetables and chicken in bowl. Drizzle tzatziki dressing and garnish with feta.

Recipe courtesy of Lindsey Nash, Country Kitchens team

Empowering women through education and health is a priority for the Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA). The QCWA Country Kitchens program, funded by the Queensland Government through Health and Wellbeing Queensland, supports Queenslanders to adopt healthier lifestyles. To find out more about the program visit https://qcwacountrykitchens.com.au/.Empowering women through education and health is a priority for the Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA). The QCWA Country Kitchens program, funded by the Queensland Government through Health and Wellbeing Queensland, supports Queenslanders to adopt healthier lifestyles. To find out more about the program visit https:// qcwacountrykitchens.com.au/.