Queensland MP slams LNP's controversial 8pm youth curfew pitch

Queensland politician Nick Dametto has condemned the LNP's plan to trial curfews for youths in North Queensland should they win the state election.

If she were to come to power following the state's upcoming election, Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington said she would impose an 8pm curfew for kids aged under 14 and a 10pm curfew for youths aged between 15 to 17 in Townsville and Cairns.

Parents would be fined $250 if unaccompanied children are found out at night and police would have the power to take unsupervised youths off the streets and place them in refuges for an undetermined period of time.

Read more: Queensland LNP leader to impose 8pm curfew for some teenagers

Katter's Australian Party MP Mr Dametto claims it's an "ill-conceived plan" thats "treating the symptom not the cause".

"The youth justice system right now in Queensland is a revolving door situation," Mr Dametto told Today.

"What we need to do is make sure there are programs out there," he said.

"And start breaking the cycle of crime."

The policy is part of a range of new law and order initiatives unveiled by the LNP yesterday, which also included a pledge to boost more police numbers and to bring back breach of bail as an offence for juveniles.

"Let's be honest, there is a problem here in Townsville with youth crime, but we are treating the symptom not the cause," Mr Dametto said.

Earlier this year an 11-year-old boy allegedly attempted to rob a takeaway shop owner at knifepoint.

Whilst an 11-year-old girl was charged after allegedly stabbing a primary school teacher in October of last year.

But Mr Dametto says the entire youth population in North Queensland should not be punished on the basis of the actions of a few.

"So, in saying that, every child or every teenager out there on the streets is all of a sudden going to become a criminal just by being on the streets? No."

"If you talk to the police officers out there, there is about 30-40 hard nuts that keep going through the system," he said.

"Don't tar the whole teenage cohort with the same youth crime brush."

The LNP would need to pass new laws through parliament to give police the ability to enforce the rules.

Join the Today show family and give yourself the chance to win great prizes by signing up to our weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox every Wednesday with a special message from Karl and Ally. You can sign up for free here.