On the 28th of January 2025, our family’s world was shattered beyond repair. Our beloved Daniel McNamara, a 52-year-old electrician from Narrabri, known for his careful riding and kind heart, was stolen from us in the most devastating way. He had just left a petrol station, heading to Tamworth to service his motorcycle, when a stolen Ute driven by three 14-year-old boys struck him from behind on the Kamilaroi Highway in Gunnedah. Daniel was in a 50km/h zone, following the rules of the road, when his life was cruelly taken. These teenagers, evading police, didn’t even pause after the collision, they simply left him there, taking away a son, a brother, an uncle, and a friend. 

According to witnesses who have spoken with our family, the boys were excessively speeding while evading police. Their reckless actions turned a stolen vehicle into a deadly weapon, leaving destruction and heartbreak in their wake. 

Shockingly, one of these boys had recently been let out on bail by a Supreme Court judge who had criticized the NSW government's tougher bail laws. The judge granted conditional bail against the wishes of police and overruled the decision of the local court. Meanwhile, the alleged driver of the vehicle had a 38-page criminal record and 90 breaches of bail. The other boy had breached bail conditions four times in a single day. These individuals should not have been free; they should have been in custody. Instead, they were given chance after chance, and our family paid the price.

This tragedy highlights the urgent need for reform in our juvenile justice system. Youth crime rates are rising, with many young offenders committing serious offenses. Current laws often result in lenient consequences, failing to convey the severity of their actions or deter future crimes. 

In New South Wales, there were 18,390 offenders aged between 10 and 17 years proceeded against by police in the 2022-23 financial year. 

To address this crisis, we propose:

• Stricter Sentencing: Implement tougher penalties for youths involved in serious crimes, ensuring they understand the gravity of their actions. 
• Adult Time for Adult Crimes: If a juvenile commits a severe offense, they should face consequences similar to adults. 
  
  
• Boot Camps: Introduce structured programs that instill discipline and responsibility, aiming to rehabilitate young offenders. 

Our family is beyond devastated. No words can truly capture the pain of losing someone so suddenly, so needlessly. The void left in our lives will never be filled. While it's too late for us, we hope that by advocating for stricter laws, we can prevent another family from enduring this heartbreak. 

Please sign this petition to call for tougher sentencing for youths involved in serious crimes in New South Wales. Together, we can fight for justice and ensure no other family has to suffer this unbearable loss.