Tough-talking Queensland Liberal leader vows to create an $8million ice taskforce to stamp out the dangerous drug – after pledging a night-time curfew to tackle teenage crime
Queensland Liberal-National leader Deb Frecklington
Queensland Liberal-National leader Deb Frecklington will set up a police taskforce dedicated to tackling the drug ice if she wins Saturday's state election.
The new taskforce, costing $8million, will use staff from existing police units.
Ms Frecklington claims Labor has been soft on crime while in power and has let it get out of control in north Queensland.
'We will shut down the big crime gangs that are pedalling drugs to our kids,' she told reporters in Townsville on Monday.
'Under the LNP there will be more treatment, more prevention and more rehabilitation.'
The death rate for ice, the street name for methamphetamine, has increased four times in Australia since the turn of the century.
Ms Frecklington will also invest $2 million on mental health and drug awareness in partnership with the North Queensland Cowboys.
Last week the LNP announced it would trial a night curfew for teenagers in Townsville and Cairns for six months.
Under the plan, which is aimed at reducing crime, teens still out after curfew will be arrested by police and taken to community centres.
They will be held there until picked up by family members, with parents slapped with a $250 fine each time one of their children is caught outside.
Ms Frecklington says the policy isn't racist or aimed at any particular group.
The LNP leader said she represents the Indigenous community of Cherbourg, while her husband works in Indigenous communities training juvenile offenders.
'I find it offensive that people think that this is a racism issue. This is a juvenile crime issue and it doesn't go across race.'
Ms Frecklington came up with the plan after holding numerous crime forums since 2017.
She said police in her electorate support the curfew policy as well as other officers across Queensland.
'I come from the South Burnett - my local coppers love this policy. In fact, they've asked for it to be extended,' Ms Frecklington said.
Last week the LNP announced it would trial a night curfew for teenagers in Townsville and Cairns for six months. Pictured: Police in Brisbane