Doing what matters: $137,000 funding for 2 Rockhampton youth early intervention projects

• The Miles Government is doing what matters funding 2 Rockhampton community organisations to deliver youth early intervention projects that enhance community safety.
• Every Child Central Queensland has received $82,280 funding for a Domestic Violence prevention program.
• Capricornia Training Company has received $55,000 funding for its Revamp and Ride Bike program.

The Miles Government is doing what matters, providing funding to support local Rockhampton youth early intervention initiatives that will help keep their communities safe.

Unlike the LNP which has announced it will spend $50m on a taxpayer funded world tour to come up with early intervention ideas, the Miles Government is doing what matters and investing in local early intervention programs with evidence based solutions.

Two Rockhampton community organisations will receive Community-based Crime Action (CBCA) Grants for their projects that help reduce youth crime and re-offending.

The projects are among 39 statewide to share in almost $2.6 million in funding in the latest rounds of the Miles Government’s Community-based Crime Action grants program.

Every Child Central Queensland’s Creating Safe Children program provides education and support to young people aged 10 to 14 to prevent involvement in domestic violence relationships and criminal activites. Facilitated by professionals in neuro-linguistic programming and toxic masculinity prevention, the program runs separate, gender-responsive sessions to develop healthy relationship habits and understanding.

Capricornia Training Company’s Revamp and Ride Youth Bike Program diverts at-risk young people aged 12-15 from offending through bicycle repair and refurbishment. It offers workshops to build vocational skills, self-esteem, and positive relationships with culturally appropriate guidance from local Mob Mentors. Activities include bike customisation, maintenance workshops, and community rides.

The Community-based Crime Action (CBCA) Grants program is part of the Miles Labor Government’s $1.28b Community Safety Plan to reduce offending, leading to fewer victims of crime.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Youth Justice Di Farmer:

“Community safety is our absolute priority, that’s why we are investing in programs that are proven to increase community safety and reduce youth offending, leading to fewer victims of crime.

“No single program will be the total solution to youth crime. That’s 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.

“It means doing all we can to break the cycle of offending, because when a young person comes into the system, we want to make sure we’re doing our very best to stop them returning.”

Quotes attributable to the Member for Rockhampton Barry O’Rourke:

“Youth crime comes in many forms, often it’s a localized response that’s called for and providing the necessary services and support will lead to targeted effective action where the community has control.

“Early intervention and an evidence-based response focusing on diversionary and change-oriented programs for young people in the youth justice system is our commitment to keeping the community safe.

“While our laws put the most serious offenders in detention, we are focused on stopping the pipeline of young people entering the youth justice system.

‘We are fighting back not just with tougher laws against youth crime, but also by addressing the underlying issues that fuel it.

“I congratulate the grant recipients; they are well positioned to put together a localised, effective response seeking to divert young people away from a life of crime and toward a brighter future.”

For more information on the Community-based Crime Action grants visit: https://desbt.qld.gov.au/youth-justice/partnerships/grants/community-crime-action

ENDS