White on Thursday called out Premier Steven Miles, saying violent crimes would continue unless police were given more resources and laws were strengthened.
“Until he (Miles) gives the power to the police more and more, giving them more authority to lock them up and keep them locked up, it’s a waste of time because it’ll be like fishing – catch and release all the time,” he said.
Miles had met the White family after the tragedy and acknowledged them as they sat in parliament’s gallery on Thursday.
“Can I acknowledge Victor and Cindy … in the gallery today and if they would like to meet with me after question time I’m of course happy to meet with them,” he said.
Grandmother Vyleen White, 70, was stabbed to death in front of her granddaughter.Credit: Nine News
White had previously called on the state government to address youth crime in the wake of his wife’s tragic death.
The premier was quizzed about this in question time by the LNP opposition on Thursday, with shadow attorney-general Tim Nicholls asking if White was correct to say similar crimes would continue until laws were changed.
Miles indicated he would take further advice from the courts and police on reforms before accusing the opposition of politicising the White tragedy.
He said current laws had led to an increase in the detention of youths and adults, and the government would consider recommendations from a bipartisan committee looking into further measures.
“We created that committee in good faith … to take some of the politics out of this,” the premier told parliament.
“I’m sick of seeing awful tragedies politicised in this place.
“We will consider carefully those recommendations as well as any other changes requested of us by the police commissioner.”
Micallef said reform was necessary or more families would be devastated by youth crime.
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“This has been going on for too long,” she told reporters.
“They’re like a migration of ants – you get them in one area and they’re just going to spread somewhere else.
“They are going to avoid the hotspots where police are. They are not stupid.
“You need to clamp down and change the laws to let them know this is not acceptable.”
– AAP