The NSW Opposition has slammed the Minns Government’s weak response to a petition signed by more than 22,000 people, calling for more action to deal with the regional youth crime crisis. 

NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders said Labor’s ‘we’re doing enough’ attitude shows it’s not listening to what residents and families need.

“All we’ve seen in the past two years is young ringleaders wreaking havoc on our communities - breaking into people’s homes, stealing cars, hurting loved ones and costing lives,” Mr Saunders said.

“People have had an absolute gutful of the Premier and Attorney General implying they have solved things, because the reality on the ground is starkly different and everyone is living in a constant state of fear.

“Here you have hundreds of thousands of regional people putting their voices together calling for some tangible change to fix things, but instead of being open to doing more, the Attorney General has just sent back a list of measures that clearly aren’t working.”  

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson presented the petition to Parliament, speaking on behalf of victims of crime who had contacted him concerned about a rising escalation of violence in his region.

“Communities across regional NSW are rightly frustrated and angry as things continue to spiral further and further out of control,” Mr Anderson said.

“Phebe Furneaux from my electorate started the Time for Change crime petition which is calling for tougher laws and consequences for offenders, and it has had an overwhelming amount of support.

“This is a weak, and seriously disappointing response from the Minns Government to the petition. They have not committed to any further action, and our regional communities have had enough.  More needs to be done.”

Phebe Furneaux was disappointed with the response to the petition and said she would continue pushing for change.

“Our fight for the safety of regional communities will continue despite the government’s response to the petition,” Ms Furneaux said.

“We got the ball rolling, and we’ll keep the pressure on the government, continuing to call for change.”