New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has admitted that lengthy prison sentences and high arrest rates aren't working to stop young people from getting involved in organised crime.
His concession comes after a father and his daughter were confronted by a gunman at school pick-up, and just a week after a 17-year-old allegedly opened fire in broad daylight at a wake in Punchbowl.
"For some reason, that isn't being communicated to these people, that their chances of committing an offence and getting away with it are close to zero, and yet they continue to do it anyway," Minns said.
The premier said he'd work with the police commissioner to provide whatever resources are needed to crack down on organised crime networks that are younger and more brazen than ever.
The school pick-up shooting
Last week, a father and his young daughter were targeted by a gunman as they arrived to pick up another child from school. The incident happened in the afternoon, in full view of parents and students. No one was injured, but it has rattled the community and forced police to reassess how they protect families.
That shooting followed another brazen attack a week earlier at a wake in Punchbowl, where a 17-year-old allegedly opened fire in public. The teenager has been charged and is before the courts.
Minns' admission
Minns' comments mark a significant shift in tone from a government that has prided itself on tough-on-crime policies. The state has some of the harshest sentencing laws in the country, including mandatory minimum sentences for certain gang-related offences. But the premier now accepts that these measures aren't getting through to the young people pulling the triggers.
The premier didn't announce any specific new policies, but said he would work with Police Commissioner Karen Webb to identify what extra resources are needed.
What's driving the youth crime wave
Police have noted a trend of younger offenders being recruited by older organised crime figures. The rise of encrypted messaging apps has made it easier for syndicates to reach teenagers, offering money and status in exchange for carrying out shootings and other violent acts.
Many of the young offenders come from disadvantaged backgrounds, with limited job prospects and weak family support. Experts say that while tough sentences may deter some, they don't address the root causes — poverty, lack of opportunity, and social exclusion.
What happens next
Minns said he expects to meet with the police commissioner within days to discuss a plan. The government is likely to announce a package of measures, which could include more police patrols in hot spots, increased funding for youth diversion programs, and better intelligence sharing between agencies. But the premier warned there's no quick fix.