Queensland MP Don Brown forced to delete tweet calling the state’s youth crime wave a media beat-up

A senior Queensland Labor politician has been forced by the acting prime minister to delete a tweet decrying the state’s juvenile delinquency problem as a ‘media crime’.

Don Brown, Member of Parliament for Capalaba in south-east Brisbane, responded to a Nine News segment with footage of a group of golf club-wielding youths in bandanas and hoodies appearing to storm a house, but then fail to commit a robbery.

Mr Brown wrote on social media this week: ‘Do you want proof that juvenile delinquency is a mistreatment of the media? Channel 9’s second main story was about a guy who didn’t get robbed.

The post caused a stir among politicians on both sides of parliament, including deputy opposition leader Jarrod Bleijie and Steven Miles, who is acting prime minister while Annastacia Palaszczuk is on holiday in Europe for two weeks.

According to official data, the juvenile recidivism rate in Queensland has risen by 3 per cent to 69 per cent, meaning that within 12 months of a previous offense seven in 10 offenders are either charged with a new offense or referred to a ‘restorative justice conference’ .

Even more alarming, data shows that by 2023, an average of one Queenslander per month was killed by a juvenile offender.

Crime victims and politicians both call the tweet ‘stupid thing to say’

In response, Parliament passed controversial new laws in recent weeks that would allow police guardhouses to be declared juvenile detention centers until December 2026, as the state scrambles to build new juvenile detention centers in Woodford and Cairns.

Last week, hundreds of protesters, many victims of juvenile crime and their supporters, marched on Parliament House demanding a tougher crackdown on juvenile offenders.

Among them was Lee Lovell, the husband of North Lakes mom Emma Lovell, who was stabbed to death on Boxing Day after youths reportedly broke into her home.

Mr Bleijie said Mr Brown’s comments “Essentially every victim of a crime in Queensland is labeled a beat up media’.

Brett Beasley, whose son Jack was killed when he was stabbed during a brawl with five teenagers on the Gold Coast in 2019, called for Mr Brown to be fired for saying such a stupid thing.

Mr Miles said the comments were ‘disappointing’ and ‘stupid to say’ but admitted Mr Brown would stay on as head of government.

“It was stupid to say, stupid to post, he removed it and that’s appropriate,” Mr Miles said.

“Of course he can continue in his role as a whip, but I told him you have to be much more careful what he wears (social media).”

The footage that prompted Mr Brown’s tweet shows young people appear to be testing whether a car door is locked in a homeowner’s driveway (pictured)

Hours before the ‘media beat-up’ post, Mr Brown also tweeted: ‘Howard & Costello’s Baby Bonus generation is between the ages of 14 and 19’.

One commenter questioned his point by asking, “And?” to which he replied, “And we’re going to get a massive bust of social experiments.”

When Nine News asked on Monday if he supported his position on the state’s juvenile delinquency problem, Mr Brown said: ‘At the moment I do’.

He claimed that juvenile delinquency was getting too much attention for news networks in the state.

“Every night, especially last night when it wasn’t even a robbery itself,” he added.

“A non-robbery is not real.

“I said about last night, it was a real media assault on juvenile delinquency,” he said.

“Right now, if I see a beat up media, I’m going to report it.”

Mr Brown backtracked somewhat on his comments, saying he was only referring to his electorate, where juvenile delinquency has fallen.

It was little comfort to Russell and Anne Field, whose son Matthew Field, partner Kate Leadbetter and their unborn child died in an Australia Day car crash in the Electorate, caused by a repeat juvenile offender behind the wheel while on drugs.

“We are deeply offended by these comments, as are other victims’ families,” they said.

Mr Miles will remain acting Prime Minister until Ms Palaszczuk returns on 11 September.