Legislative Assembly debates youth crime petition

The Legislative Assembly debated an e-petition last Thursday spurred on by youth crime in Gunnedah and across the state.

The ‘Time for Change’ petition was heavily circulated in the area, amounting to 22,015 signatures.

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson presented the petition, calling on the government to change the Young Offenders Act. The government has until Tuesday, June 10, to respond to the petition.

The petition was created by Tamworth’s Phebe Furneaux, who was a guest during the debate. She was a victim of home invasions.

Also in the gallery was Adam McNamara whose brother, Daniel, was hit and killed by a stolen ute allegedly driven by a 14-year-old boy in Gunnedah.

This incident was a driving factor behind the petition which was outlined by Mr Anderson in the debate.

He quoted statistics from Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOSCAR) which found Gunnedah and Tamworth were in the top 10 towns most likely for break ins.

According to the break and enter dwelling statistics from BOSCAR in 2024 Gunnedah ranked 10th in the state. Moree took the first ranking.

Gunnedah’s violent crime rank saw a significant jump in the last few years according to the NSW Recorded Crime Statistics. It was ranked 36th in the NSW in 2018, but in 2024, it was 15th.

Mr Anderson said that many offenders are below the age of 14 and committing “frightening and disturbing acts of violence imaginable”.

“[People] are angry, frustrated and seeking retribution, and that is very frightening,” he said, concerned people were beginning to fight back and “turn violent”.

Doli Incapax means “incapable of wrong”, which Mr Anderson reminded parliament. Children aged between 10-14 in Australia are not criminally responsible due to not sufficiently understanding the difference between right and wrong.

This legal presumption is currently under review by the NSW Government.

Member for Prospect Hugh McDermott said the number of signatures “show how important this issue is, not only to country NSW but the whole state.”

He agreed with each request of the petition, also stating the government had committed itself to reviewing all those items more than a year ago.

Dr McDermott stated it was an ongoing issue but has come to the forefront in the current government.

The Bail and Crimes Amendment Bill 2024, and the Bail Amendment (Extension of Limitation on Bail in Certain Circumstances) Bill, was introduced in March 2024.

This means there is a temporary limitation on bail for certain young persons in relation to certain serious offences.

Dr McDermott said there were results between April 2024 and March 2025

“There were 267 first bail appearances where section 22C (Temporary limitation on bail for certain young persons in relation to certain serious offences) applied,” he said.

“Of those, 188 resulted in bail being refused.

“That is a bail refusal rate of 70 per cent.

“They are beginning to work but we must do more.”

He also mentioned The Legislative Assembly Committee on Law and Safety are reviewing rural and regional communities having been to Bourke, Broken Hill, Kempsey and Coffs Harbour, Wagga Wagga and a public hearing in parliament with plans to do more as the year progresses.

Also speaking at the debate were Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan, Member for Clarence Richie Williamson, Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch, Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh and Member for Maroubra Michael Daley.

Many addressed stories from their own regions about youth crime.