The second great project was the 'Bleijie Boot Camps'. They have been beset by major problems... from escape to questions about the tender process and Jarrod's independence. But it seems that despite contrary advice and opinion, he is determined to push on with this ill-conceived policy.
When people in positions of power press on despite poor outcomes, and advice to the contrary, this is where they become dangerous. And Bleijie seems to be someone who is determined to pursue his ideas despite all the evidence and advice which suggests that he shouldn't.
The Newman government knows that it is becoming increasingly unpopular and so it has begun trying to deflect attention from its poor performance.
People have become tired of the 'It's all Labor's fault' strategy, no longer believe it and are no longer listening. As a part of the LNP's shift its focus is now on the bread and butter issues and agendas of conservative governments... Law and Order, and the demonisation of minorities.
Current targets in the sights of the LNP include: Bikies, and Sex Offenders. But all those in conflict with the ideas of the LNP have reason for concern. They may be next.
Perhaps the appropriate starting point in examining the performance of the Attorney General, is to look first at Jarrod Belijie himself and ask how qualified he is to drive these very large changes to the Qld legal system. While an undergraduate he worked as an Articled Clerk at the Maroochydore law firm of J J Riba & Company, until his graduation in 2006. After graduation he worked as a solicitor at the Sunshine Coast law firm Sajen Legal specialising in commercial law and management rights. He was elected to parliament in March 2009, making the full extent of his post-graduate legal experience... 2 years and 3 months! None of that in Criminal law.
And what of the response in the wider legal fraternity... despite the legislation only being passed in the early hours of Wednesday morning, the criticisms have flowed thick and fast.
From Terry O'Gorman.
From Greg Barns
And from the Queensland Law society.
Elements of the plan, which include 'Super jails for Bikies', have begun to do the rounds of the BBQ and the water cooler, with the verdict being... they are laughable.
Greg Barns in particular makes a valid point about the dangers of Bleijie's actions.:
The Newman government's shredding of the rule of law is dangerous stuff indeed. Why stop at bikie gangs? Why not amend the relevant legislation – or better still bypass the Parliament by simply introducing regulations - to include members of environmental NGOs, trade unions, community groups, asylum seekers?
Some will say that this notion is farfetched. They are wrong.
Legislation which allows government to crush the rights of individuals in one context is easily used in another.
This is a concern lampooned by the Courier Mail with Channel 10 News, on a much more serious note, speaking of fears we are returning to the Bjelke-Peterson 'Police State' days.
Calls by Annastacia Palszczuk that Bleijie “should not continue as the state’s chief law officer” are justified.
She adds: “Mr Bleijie’ s latest plan to set himself up as judge and jury on dangerous sex offenders and bypass the judiciary is simply unacceptable,”
“Mr Bleijie has to decide if he wants to be Attorney-General or Judge Judy.
“What he is proposing is worse than some of the decisions of the Joh Bjelke-Petersen government.”
Jarrod Bleijie's inexperience and the desperation of the unpopular Newman government have taken us into very dangerous territory. It is time for common sense to prevail and for Premier Newman to pluck up the courage to step in before more damage is done. But bravery and common sense seem to be in short supply in the Queensland government