The Queensland Opposition Leader Wants to (Checks Notes) Impose a Curfew for Teens

Come again? 

With Queensland's 2020 general election fast approaching, politicians are campaigning hard to attract potential voters. 

Earlier this week, Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington announced that her QLD LNP government will, uh, trial a strict curfew for young people in both Cairns and Townsville if she's elected. 

The measure would see young people aged 14 and under prohibited from being outside after 8pm "without a good reason", while those aged between 15 and 17 would be given a 10pm curfew. 

Yes, you read the correctly. 

As reported by the ABC, Ms Frecklington declared the LNP government would "fix the juvenile crime problem" in the two cities.

Under the plan, police would be given powers to take unsupervised teens off the street and place them in refuges for an undetermined period. 

"This is about making sure parents become responsible for their children," the Opposition Leader told the media.

"If you are on the streets doing the wrong thing, then you will be taken off the streets so the community is kept safe." 

On top of the curfew, parents would also be fined $250 each time their child was picked up by police. 

The @LNPQLD will recruit more police & fix @QLDLabor's soft 'catch & release laws and bring back breach of bail as an offence for juveniles. In Townsville & Cairns the @LNPQLD will trial an 8pm curfew for kids aged 14 & under and a 10pm curfew for youths aged 15-17. #qldpol pic.twitter.com/AXfMa7h2OV

— Deb Frecklington MP (@DebFrecklington) October 20, 2020

It comes as absolutely no surprise that the announcement has received significant criticism, with #DictatorDeb trending on Twitter. 

#DictatorDeb Holy crap. What's this state wide curfew business? This lady could not be getting things more wrong.#Auspol

— Casper (@Slipperyslopes6) October 21, 2020

"This is a bad policy. @DebFrecklington hasn't learnt from the failings of the LNP's destructive youth justice policies. Youth prisons will once again overflow, children will be harmed, the underlying causes of crime will not be addessed," Amnesty International Australia campaigner Joel Mackay tweeted. 

This is bad policy. @DebFrecklington hasn't learnt from the failings of the previous LNP's destructive youth justice policies. Youth prisons will once again overflow, children will be harmed, the underlying causes of crime will not be addressed. https://t.co/v3uDoeu0KH

— Joel MacKay 🕯️🏳️‍🌈 (@JoelMMacKay) October 21, 2020

It's important to note that the policy announcement didn't contain any specific information regarding young people who work casual or part-time jobs after curfew hours, or those who may be the primary carer for someone else. 

PeakCare executive director Lindsay Wegener told SBS that the policy would also disproportionately affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families. 

Additionally, the party would need to pass new legislation through parliament to give police the ability to enforce the rules. 

The upcoming Queensland state election will take place on 31 October. 

Or you know, you could work with relevant people to target the underlying issues of antisocial behaviour and implement plans to work with families & young people 🤷🏼‍♀️

— Random Sarah (@random_pest) October 20, 2020

Header Image: NBC