Youth boot camp winning tenders announced

The Kokoda Challenge Association on the Gold Coast and Safe Pathways in Cairns have been selected to run the Newman Government’s two-year boot camp trial.

Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie announced today that the two organisations had been selected from more than 20 tenders across Queensland.

“The calibre of applications was high and the final decision was not an easy one,” Mr Bleijie said.

“However, based on the specifications outlined in the tender process, the Kokoda Challenge Association and Safe Pathways demonstrated they were best-equipped to operate our two boot camps.

“Kokoda will run the early intervention boot camp, which will focus on helping young kids who are at risk of choosing a life of crime.

“Safe Pathways will operate the sentenced boot camp for kids who are already in the youth justice system but need help to make better life choices.”

The Kokoda Challenge Association has been running youth camps for almost seven years and will deliver the program from their property in Lake Maroon. 

Safe Pathways has almost 20 years’ experience in providing human services and delivering residential care to youth at risk in Queensland and the Northern Territory.

Mr Bleijie said both camps would provide participants with discipline, structure and physical training, but also focus on health, education and family issues.

“I have always maintained the most important aspect of these camps is to ensure the offenders’ families are involved in the rehabilitation process,” he said.

“These camps will not be easy, but will provide an alternative to the revolving door of the youth crime created by the previous Labor Government.

“The Newman Government is committed to changing the culture of youth crime and to achieve this young people must be held accountable for their actions.”

The boot camp programs will begin early next year.

Media contact: Lisa O’Donnell 0400 986 432 or Matt Johnson 0432 535 893