Frustration and grief spilled onto the streets outside the Cairns Courthouse this week, as families and supporters staged a symbolic protest against what they see as a justice system failing victims of violent crime. The demonstrators, many holding signs and wearing tinsel, are demanding harsher penalties for offenders.
A Symbolic Stand for Stiffer Penalties
The protest, dubbed the 'Tinsel' protest, was organised by local woman Shanell Haines. Her motivation stems from profound personal tragedy. Her brother, Jai Haines, was killed in a violent attack in December 2022. The man charged with his murder, Jye Sebastian Webb, remains before the courts, with a trial date yet to be set.
For Shanell and other families in similar situations, the court process and perceived leniency in sentencing for some crimes add a layer of anguish to their loss. "All we want is justice," she stated emphatically to the gathered crowd and media. Her message was clear: current sentencing outcomes do not adequately reflect the severity of the crimes or the lifelong suffering inflicted on victims' families.
Families Share Stories of Loss and Systemic Failure
The protest was not just about one case. It served as a collective outcry. Another attendee, Tamica Lane, spoke about her nephew, Jaydon, who was stabbed to death in Mooroobool in 2023. She expressed a sentiment echoed by many: that the system seems to prioritise the rights of offenders over the justice owed to victims and their loved ones.
Kylie Keough also joined the demonstration, advocating for her son, Jett, who was seriously assaulted. Her presence highlighted that the call for justice extends beyond homicide cases to include victims of severe physical violence who feel let down by judicial outcomes.
The use of tinsel as a symbol was deliberate and poignant. Protestors tied it to the courthouse fence, creating a visual representation of their belief that sentences are often wrapped up too neatly and leniently, like a gift, for those convicted of serious offences.
Calls for Reform and a Stronger Voice for Victims
The core demand from the group is a comprehensive review of sentencing guidelines in Queensland. They argue that penalties for violent crimes, including murder, manslaughter, and serious assault, must be increased to act as a more substantial deterrent and to properly acknowledge the value of the lives lost and damaged.
Furthermore, the protestors are calling for victims' families to be given a more substantial voice in the legal process. They feel sidelined and that their impact statements, which detail their ongoing trauma, do not carry enough weight when judges deliberate on sentences.
The protest in Cairns taps into a broader national conversation about sentencing adequacy and victims' rights. While the judiciary operates independently, public demonstrations like this one put direct pressure on state lawmakers to consider legislative reforms. The Queensland government now faces renewed calls to examine whether the state's laws deliver the justice its citizens demand.
For the families standing outside the courthouse, their fight is far from over. They vow to continue their campaign, using their voices and their stories to push for a system where the scales of justice feel balanced for those who have suffered the most profound losses.
