Locals in Far North Queensland have backed a new push by Katter’s Australian Party to reintroduce Castle Law to state parliament amid growing frustration about rampant crime.
Traeger MP Robbie Katter confirmed on a visit to Cairns this week that his party would propose the new legislation, following a parliamentary petition that was signed by a record 110,000 Queenslanders.
According to a new analysis by insurance comparison firm iSelect, the aboriginal crime-ravaged city was the fourth most dangerous in Australia after Townsville, Rockhampton and Yarra in Victoria, but the worst for property crime.
Eight of the top 10 worst cities for property crime were in Queensland, with Townsville second, followed by Rockhampton, Melbourne, Logan, Yarra, Brisbane, Mackay, Toowoomba and Ipswich.
Cairns residents told 7News they supported the KAP proposal, which would allow homeowners to use “whatever force necessary” rather than the current “reasonable” force against intruders.
“I think we’re at the stage now where we have think about bringing it in,” one man said.
“You’ve got to learn to defend yourself, but how can you do it when you get prosecuted?” asked another.
Mr Katter called on Premier David Crisafulli, who was elected after promising to introduce “adult crime, adult time” laws to solve the state’s crime crisis, to “stop blaming Labor and starting putting in some real change”.
“If someone’s entering your home with the intent of harm, they have no right being there, and you should have the full protection of the law in doing what you have to to get them out,” he said.
“We’ve had enough in regional Queensland of governments lying to us and fudging the figures, trying to pretend that the situation doesn’t exist.
“No legislation is perfect … but I think it’s clear we have hit a point of crisis. Most people aren’t excited about the prospect of having to attack someone in their home.
“They just shouldn’t fear the consequences of the law if they’re forced into a situation where someone enters their home.”
But Police Minister Dan Purdie said the people of Queensland voted for “adult time” laws, not Castle Law, and promised the government would continue to focused on combating crime.
There have also been recent calls for Castle Law to be introduced in NSW and Victoria, and basketball legend Andrew Bogut last month called the policy a “no brainer” in response to a violent Sydney home invasion.
Header image: Left, Robbie Katter (7News). Right, home invaders caught on security cameras in the Cairns region (supplied).
