Community Safety Plan for Queensland: Intensive On-Country program to begin in Mount Isa

• Miles Labor Government is investing $24 million to trial intensive on-country programs as part of the Community Safety Plan for Queensland.
• Local organisation Mithangkaya Nguli - Young People Ahead Youth and Community Services Indigenous Corporation will deliver the Miles Government’s first new Intensive On Country youth justice trial in the Mount Isa region.
• The program, which builds on existing On Country programs, will start with within weeks, with both the Department of Youth Justice and courts able to refer young offenders to take part.
• The contract was awarded following a tender process that attracted strong interest in providing services in multiple communities across Queensland.

Premier Steven Miles has today announced the first of his governments’ Intensive On Country trials – a new, diversionary youth intervention and rehabilitation program that builds upon previous work done in this space.

The program is made possible by a $24 million investment by the Miles Government under the Community Safety Plan for Queensland.

Local organisation Mithangkaya Nguli (Myth-ang-ky-ya  Noo-goo-lee) – Young People Ahead Youth and Community Services Indigenous Corporation has been awarded the first tender, to provide its new Intensive On Country youth justice trial in the Mount Isa region.

The On Country model focuses on providing intensive cultural and residential experiences, family supports, education and training opportunities and connection to employment to young people who have had engagement with the youth justice system.

It offers a period out of town and On Country to help break the cycle of youth reoffending, leading to reduced offending and fewer victims of crime.

It will provide young people an opportunity to reflect on their offending behaviour through targeted cultural interventions.

It will also deliver a wider range of wraparound supports to young people and their families, to deal with mental and physical health, substance misuse, relationship with social media.

This first contract was awarded following a comprehensive tender process that considered organisations’ capability to deliver services effectively, safely and efficiently.

The program will start within weeks, with both the Department of Youth Justice and courts able to refer young offenders to take part.

The Department of Youth Justice will continue to work with other organisations that expressed interest in providing Intensive On Country trial to scope additional locations and future expansions.

Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Miles:

“I made a commitment to do more of what is working to intervene early and support our young people away from crime.

“Our new Intensive On Country model has been specifically developed to ensure First Nations Queenslanders receive the rehabilitation support they need, in a culturally appropriate way.

“Because when young people feel connected socially and culturally with their community, there is less likelihood of reoffending.

“My government’s Community Safety Plan for Queensland is driven by the evidence to do what matters, to make sure all Queenslanders are safe and feel safe.

“I look forward to Mithangkaya Nguli kickstarting this new program in a few weeks – I know they will make a positive difference in the lives of vulnerable young Queenslanders.”

Quotes from Minister for Youth Justice Di Farmer:

“First and foremost keeping Queenslanders safe is the priority of the Miles Government, that’s why we are investing millions of dollars in evidence-based programs that are proven to reduce the offending and reoffending rates of young people.

“The new Intensive On Country program trial is another step toward reducing offending in our state, leading to fewer victims of crime.

“No single program will be the total solution to youth crime. That is why evidence-based programs like this one are needed to complement the Miles Government’s Community Safety Plan and the Putting Queensland Kids First strategy.”

ENDS