New boot camp for north Queensland

Young offenders in Cairns and Townsville areas will soon have a chance to turn their lives around, with the announcement of the successful provider to deliver a sentenced boot camp.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Jarrod Bleijie said Beyond Billabong had been selected to run a camp that would service both Cairns and Townsville communities.

“Beyond Billabong has extensive experience and proven success through its own camps and training programs,” Mr Bleijie said.

“The team behind the organisation have helped troubled young people achieve a better life for more than a decade.

“Young offenders will be sent to this camp by the court to divert them from detention and give them a chance to change.

“Offenders referred to this program will spend at least a month at the residential camp and up to a year of mentoring, education and training.

“This won’t be a holiday camp. It will be tough with a focus on training for future employment.

“It will strike the right balance between teaching them discipline and self-worth and it will be in a remote location, away from homes. Community safety is the number one priority.”

Mr Bleijie said having one camp to service Townsville and Cairns made sense.

“The north Queensland camp will cater to at least 10 young people at a time, the same number that would have been dealt with under the original two camp plans,” Mr Bleijie said.

“We are working with the organisation to secure an appropriate, remote location and I expect to make a further announcement in the near future.”

Mr Bleijie said the Newman Government is delivering on its promise to overhaul the youth justice system and expand its boot camp trial.

The north Queensland camp will complement the Newman Government’s other camps on the Gold Coast, Rockhampton and the Fraser/Sunshine Coast.

[ENDS] 21 August 2013

Media Contact: Ashley McDermid 0412 731 355 or Katherine Hornbuckle 0402 862 351