Police Minister Jack Dempsey and Member for Burnett, Stephen Bennett are getting tough on hoons with a proposed bill passed through Cabinet recently that will see Queensland implement the toughest anti-hooning laws in Australia.

The new laws will see an offender’s car taken off the road and impounded for three months following the first serious offence.

“Not only will the car be taken off the road for the first offence, but a second offence in five years will result in the car being sold or crushed,” Mr Dempsey said.

“The Newman Government is committed to being tough on crime in order to ensure Queensland is a safe place to live, visit and work – and we’re putting the brakes on hoons.”

Minister Dempsey said the changes would tackle hoons head-on in Burnett and work to take dangerous driver behaviour off local streets.

Stephen Bennett welcomed the changes on behalf of local residents.

“The Newman Government’s new anti-hooning laws will do what the previous Labor Government did not do, take the hoons off our roads,” Mr Bennett said. 

“Burnett residents have had enough of hoons receiving a slap on the wrists under the previous Government’s weak laws and penalties.”

Stephen Bennett encouraged residents to be proactive in reporting hoons by contacting the Queensland Police Service’s Hoon Hotline, or using the HoonWatch link on his web page – http://stevebennett.com.au/hoon-watch/

“Members of the public can call the Hoon Hotline on 13 4666 to report any hooning activity they may see in the local area, or use the link on my web page,” Mr Bennett said.

“A description of the vehicle, what it was doing, the registration plates, the time and where the vehicle was, can go a long way to help police locate these offenders.”