Published Tuesday, 03 June, 2008 at 03:24 PM
Minister for Communities, Disability Services, ATSIP, Multicultural Affairs, Seniors and Youth
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
Safer, stronger: Budget boost for Queensland communities
The 2008-09 State Budget has heavily invested in the areas of youth justice services, support for people experiencing domestic and family violence, and early childhood development.
Communities Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said the 2008-09 State Budget had allocated a total of $41 million over four years to improve youth diversionary services and expand youth detention centre capacity.
”This year’s Budget has a strong focus on improving community safety, reducing offending behaviour among youth and building a brighter future for our children,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“As part of improvements to the youth justice system we will be investing an additional $8 million over the next four years to improve diversionary and supervision services for young people on youth justice orders, with the aim of steering them away from a future spent in prison,” she said.
“This will enable the Department of Communities to provide supervision of more court orders, with the additional capacity spread out across the state.”
Recurrent funding of $1.8 million and $5 million capital funding in 2008-09 will be directed towards improving court management of young people on youth justice orders through the Integrated Client Management System.
Ms Nelson-Carr said the Department of Communities had been allocated a healthy budget this year, providing $680.9 million in recurrent expenditure, including $8.9 million new funding in 2008-09.
“A major item in the budget is $11.4 million in capital funding to purchase land and plan for additional youth detention centre capacity in North Queensland,” she said.
“Additional detention centre places in North Queensland will ensure young people receive the educational, vocational and therapeutic services they need to address their offending behaviours and welfare needs.
“Remaining closer to home also means young people from northern Queensland can receive greater support from their families, and this provides a better chance for young offenders to become valuable members of the community and reach their full potential.
“In addition, the department will be better able to plan and implement significant national early childhood reforms, thanks to a further $2 million non-recurrent funding which will build on the department’s previous $32 million commitment to the Early Years Strategy.
Other key initiatives for the Department of Communities in the 2008-09 State Budget include:
• $10.4 million in recurrent and capital funding over four years to enhance the Safe Havens initiative, which supports children and families in remote Indigenous communities affected by violence and abuse, fuelled by alcohol and substance misuse;
• $3.6 million recurrent funding in 2008-09 to continue services for people experiencing homelessness, and;
• $1.9 million funding in 2008-09 to continue the Seniors Legal and Support Service pilot program for one year.
For more information about the 2008-09 State Budget allocation to the Department of Communities, visit www.communities.qld.gov.au
Media Contact: Minister Nelson-Carr’s office 3235 4280
Communities Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said the 2008-09 State Budget had allocated a total of $41 million over four years to improve youth diversionary services and expand youth detention centre capacity.
”This year’s Budget has a strong focus on improving community safety, reducing offending behaviour among youth and building a brighter future for our children,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“As part of improvements to the youth justice system we will be investing an additional $8 million over the next four years to improve diversionary and supervision services for young people on youth justice orders, with the aim of steering them away from a future spent in prison,” she said.
“This will enable the Department of Communities to provide supervision of more court orders, with the additional capacity spread out across the state.”
Recurrent funding of $1.8 million and $5 million capital funding in 2008-09 will be directed towards improving court management of young people on youth justice orders through the Integrated Client Management System.
Ms Nelson-Carr said the Department of Communities had been allocated a healthy budget this year, providing $680.9 million in recurrent expenditure, including $8.9 million new funding in 2008-09.
“A major item in the budget is $11.4 million in capital funding to purchase land and plan for additional youth detention centre capacity in North Queensland,” she said.
“Additional detention centre places in North Queensland will ensure young people receive the educational, vocational and therapeutic services they need to address their offending behaviours and welfare needs.
“Remaining closer to home also means young people from northern Queensland can receive greater support from their families, and this provides a better chance for young offenders to become valuable members of the community and reach their full potential.
“In addition, the department will be better able to plan and implement significant national early childhood reforms, thanks to a further $2 million non-recurrent funding which will build on the department’s previous $32 million commitment to the Early Years Strategy.
Other key initiatives for the Department of Communities in the 2008-09 State Budget include:
• $10.4 million in recurrent and capital funding over four years to enhance the Safe Havens initiative, which supports children and families in remote Indigenous communities affected by violence and abuse, fuelled by alcohol and substance misuse;
• $3.6 million recurrent funding in 2008-09 to continue services for people experiencing homelessness, and;
• $1.9 million funding in 2008-09 to continue the Seniors Legal and Support Service pilot program for one year.
For more information about the 2008-09 State Budget allocation to the Department of Communities, visit www.communities.qld.gov.au
Media Contact: Minister Nelson-Carr’s office 3235 4280