The Queensland leader of Katter’s Australian Party has renewed calls for the state government to take a fresh approach to youth crime. 

Speaking with Ray Hadley, Robbie Katter said it’s clear youth detention centres aren’t doing the job to prevent children from reoffending.

“Don’t just shove them into the youth detention centres, where there’s a 95 per cent recidivism rate within the first 12 months,” he said.

“Send them out to Urandangi, break them up as well. It’s not a holiday for them, then.

“That’s the best [chance] you’ve ever got of rehabilitating those kids, is in a remote setting and I’ve seen that work before, with my own two eyes.”

Mr Katter said the state government has refused to consider his proposal for five years now.

“They just think we need to kiss and cuddle them more at the front gate and try and engage them, without forcing them, try and invite them to participate in programs that turn their lives around.”

Press PLAY below to hear the full interview 

Image: Getty