Minister announces increased support for Queensland communities

Services and support for children, youth and families experiencing problems will be improved and enhanced as part of an increased Department of Communities budget for 2007–08.

Minister for Communities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Seniors and Youth, Warren Pitt, said his department’s budget had increased to $598 million in operational funding and $92.3 million in capital expenditure.

Areas identified for attention include:
• improved services for children and youth
• improved monitoring and licensing of child care
• increased support for families experiencing problems
• increased funding for youth justice initiatives
• improved life in Indigenous, rural and regional communities.

“Looking after young Queenslanders is a further key focus of this budget,” Mr Pitt said.

“Child care will be improved through enhanced regulation and increased capacity while support for families at risk of being involved in the child protection system will be increased.

“The Referral for Active Intervention service, established in 2006, will provide intensive child and family support, case management and improved access to specialist services.

“Our focus on early years continues, with increased financial assistance to enhance services and support provided to families who have children up to eight years old.”

Mr Pitt said the budget also recognised the need to further strengthen policy coordination and services provided to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“We will provide an additional $21.3 million over the next four years to enhance existing diversionary services to reduce Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people coming into contact with the criminal justice system.

“Funding of $18.2 million over four years, including $3.77 million in 2007–08, will allow the department to expand youth justice conferencing and support the increased involvement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in the process.

“Further funds have been allocated to the youth justice system to reduce reoffending. This includes extending the bail support program and trialling a young offender community response service.

“This service will support young people subject to supervised youth justice orders and will address both their offending behaviours and welfare needs,” he said.

“Domestic and family violence prevention, the Safe Havens initiative and community support services will continue to receive increased support, as will the Seniors enquiry line and the seniors legal and support service pilot program.”

Mr Pitt said the budget continued to build on many initiatives that were “beginning to hit their stride”.

“The relatively new Strengthening Non-Government Organisations initiative, our Blueprint for the Bush to revitalise rural and regional Queensland and the Partnerships Queensland strategy involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are all proving to be very worthwhile initiatives,” he said.

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3235 4280