General News
21 April, 2026
Joy ride taunt irks Kempton
MEMBER for Cook David Kempton is calling on State Parliament to remove restrictive police pursuit policies following the posting of video coverage of a vehicle being driven repeatedly performing donuts and burn outs through Mareeba’s main traffic light-controlled intersection on 10 April.
The allegedly stolen vehicle was featured driving along Rankin Street from the intersection then over the railway line to around Casali’s premises for more burnouts then back to burnouts and donuts on the Byrnes-Rankin Street intersection a number of times.
All the while, a police patrol car can be seen stationed motionless nearby, while the driver of the vehicle appeared to be goading them to undertake a pursuit.
The vehicle was later stopped by the response group who dispatched stingers, with one of the alleged drivers apprehended.
Mr Kempton echoed the thoughts of the community when he said: “Enough is enough.”
“Let’s be really clear that this is totally unacceptable and we need to crack down heavily on anyone who thinks they are above the law and can continue to terrorise our community,” he said.
“Our government have made laws, increased the police force and provided the support.
“We need to find a balance between public safety and apprehending these juveniles.
“These violent, serious repeat offenders need to be taken off the streets so that we are safe in our homes and in our workplaces.
“Youth crime in Mareeba is escalating out of control – people need to take steps to ensure that their homes are more secure and that their keys are not readily available.”
A restrictive “safety first police policy”, that was introduced by a Bligh Labor government 14 years ago in an effort to reduce fatalities, limits police officers to chases involving “serious crime or cases of imminent threat to life”.
While the Crisafulli LNP campaign highlighting an “adult crime – adult time” strategy was expected when the LNP swept to power in October 2024, a review of data from the State Statistician’s Office confirms that only 25% of the judiciary are handing out sentences in line with “adult crime – adult time” laws.
Mr Kempton said the State could not have young offenders, serious offenders and repeat offenders back out on the street and that was where the real problems were occurring in many cases.
He said changes to the Youth Justice Act had increased penalties that judges and magistrates could impose and that “detainment of offenders as a last resort provisions” had been removed.
However, the judiciary was not handing out sentences after they considered risk to the community, impacts upon the victim, well being and age of the minor, prospects of rehabilitation and other available sentencing options.
Mr Kempton invited members of the Cook community to email his office with any suggestions they might have on how to reduce and remove the ongoing theft of vehicles.
He said he intended to call a public meeting on law and order issues at a date and location to be advised.
Teen criminals caught
FOUR Mareeba teenagers have been charged over a dangerous driving incident that sparked a flurry of outrage on social media.
A Mitsubishi ASX was allegedly seen by police to be driving dangerously through the intersection of Rankin and Byrnes streets at around midnight on 10 April.
It will be alleged the group of teenagers stole the ASX from a Jackson Drive address, as well as a Nissan X-Trail from a Whiting Street address.
Just a few hours later, at around 3am, the X-Trail was affected by a tyre deflation device before it was abandoned on Adams Street.
Several occupants fled the scene, and a 14-year-old Mareeba boy was taken into custody a short distance away. He was charged with one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and attempted stealing and is due to re-appear before the Mareeba Children’s Court next Thursday.
Police arrested three more teenagers two days later - a 13-year-old girl, a 15-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl, who are facing numerous charges related to the incident.
