Queensland urged to prevent youth crime at its roots following Maryborough tragedy

It’s easy to make calls for tougher penalties but there’s no evidence they improve community safety, human rights advocates say. Tributes left at the scene of the Maryborough car crash. Photograph: Rob Maccoll/AAP

Queensland can only prevent youth crime by setting tangible goals to improve children’s lives from their earliest days, the state’s leading children and human rights advocates have warned.

Speaking after a three-car crash in Maryborough on Sunday that led to the deaths of three women, Queensland’s human rights commissioner, Scott McDougall, said the tragedy showed a different approach was needed to keep the community safe.