Aussies are becoming increasingly fed-up with break-ins. Now a concerning number are demanding a lethal American-style law be brought in

Queensland residents have expressed their support for a bill that would give homeowners the power to kill intruders.

The Australian Cattle Party (KAP) introduced an American-style Castle Law into state parliament on June 11, which would allow residents to take drastic measures.

Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics last week showed that a staggering 289,657 Queenslanders were victims of crime in 2023.

“If an intruder illegally enters a home or residence, the resident must be able to use all reasonable force to defend themselves without legal consequences,” said KAP leader Robbie Katter.

More than 40,000 Queenslanders have now signed a petition calling for the right to kill intruders without legal consequences.

But not everyone agrees. Both lawyers and victims of crime express their doubts about the bill.

The Queensland Law Society (QLS) has slammed the KAP proposal, saying it is “frightening” and based on a misinterpretation of existing law.

QLS told the Cairns Message That state law already allows people to use guns in self-defense against criminals. The bill “does not solve the current problems with burglaries and should be rejected.”

Asti Savage, 44, from Townsville, who has been a victim of multiple crimes, also has doubts about KAP’s bill.

She was paralyzed after being hit by a drunk driver in a stolen car in 2001. Years later, she was shot through her window by a man who was convicted but found to be insane.

And just last month, Ms. Savage was the victim of a home invasion, during which her purse was stolen while she was sitting in her chair.

Her car was also stolen, while the youths responsible laughed at her for the theft.

Despite everything she has endured over the past twenty years, she warned against the Castle Law bill.

“People need to be able to protect themselves, but if we arm ourselves, they will arm themselves and it will get out of hand,” she said.

“If someone approaches me from my wheelchair to steal my bag, I think I can use tear gas, but I don’t think it should be a permissible weapon in that case.”

Lawyer Dan Creevey said there was a lot of misinformation about existing Queensland laws and the proposals in the Castle Law bill.

“Unfortunately, the bill will allow a form of murder to be committed without legal action, in circumstances where there may be no immediate danger to someone’s life,” he said.

“Ultimately, the bill is a dangerous response to crime in Queensland.”

Such laws in the US have been linked to a number of shocking incidents, including one in which a black teenager was shot in the head and arm after accidentally knocking on the wrong door.

In June 2023, Ralph Yarl knocked on the door of Andrew Lester, a white man, who shot him twice with a revolver.

Mr Yarl, who went to pick up his younger twin brothers but arrived at the wrong house, was left with “permanent injuries” and his family has filed a civil lawsuit against Mr Lester in Missouri.

Queensland’s latest crime statistics come at a time when the state is facing a youth crime crisis, according to a report by the state’s auditor-general.

More than 40,000 Queenslanders have since signed a petition calling for the right to kill intruders without legal consequences (stock image)

Katter’s Australian Party leader Robbie Katter (left) is pictured with deputy leader Nick Dametto (right)

The report found that 55 percent of all juvenile crimes in the state in the 2022-2023 period were committed by “serious repeat offenders.”

It was also reported that the average daily number of serious repeat offenders has increased by 64 percent, from 278 in 2018-2019 to 457 in 2022-2023.

Queensland Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath acknowledged the people who signed the petition for a change in the law, but said there were no plans to review the state’s self-defence laws.

But with Labor predicted to lose the state election in just over three months, the KAP bill is likely to be reintroduced later this year.