Securing the future of the award-winning Project Booyah

Minister for Police Mark Ryan today announced that funding for the highly successful Project Booyah program has been made permanent by the Palaszczuk Government.

More than $4.13 million over four years and $1.29 million ongoing will be provided for the Framing the Future component of Project Booyah. This means the post-program support for graduates will now be a permanent fixture of Project Booyah.

A new school-based adaption of Project Booyah – called RESPECT – will also be funded permanently and delivered in locations right across Queensland.

Minister Ryan made the announcement at a Project Booyah graduation ceremony in Logan today.

“Project Booyah is a life-changing experience for so many young people and I commend the graduates for stepping up and committing themselves to be forces for good in our community,” he said.

“The program targets at-risk young people with an intensive 16-week course designed to build the life skills they need to turn their lives around.

“Project Booyah has an outstanding track record of delivering for young Queenslanders, but the hard work does not end with graduation from the program.

“Framing the Future (the post-Project Booyah support program for graduates) is now permanently funded to mentor graduates and to continue to connect them with employment, education and training opportunities.

“After a successful trial on the Gold Coast, a new school-based adaption of Project Booyah called RESPECT will be expanded to locations across Queensland so school-based police officers across Queensland can proactively mentor young people.

“This permanent funding from the Palaszczuk Government will help support young Queenslanders and build stronger and safer communities.”

Minister Ryan said a recent Griffith University evaluation of the program confirmed that it was highly successful in reducing youth offending.

“This is at the forefront of the Palaszczuk Government’s focus on safer communities,” he said.

“The evaluation found that the majority of participants did not go on to offend again.

“It also determined that for every dollar invested in Project Booyah directly saves the community $2.55.

“By investing in Project Booyah, these young people and the wider community will see the benefits.”

Member for Macalister Melissa McMahon also attended today’s graduation ceremony and said Project Booyah has an incredibly positive impact on the Logan community.

“These graduates have been working incredibly hard and it’s fantastic to see they are all on the path to a bright and successful future thanks to Project Booyah,” she said.

“Today’s ten graduates should be extremely proud of themselves and their achievements.”

Chief Superintendent Brian Swan said the program had tangible benefits for participants, communities and the economy.

“Project Booyah focuses on accountability and rehabilitation with program tactics leading to a reduction in crime and incarceration rates of young people,” he said.

Project Booyah is currently running in nine sites across Queensland: Cairns, Townsville, Sunshine Coast, Rockhampton, Pine Rivers, Ipswich, Logan, Redlands and the Gold Coast.

Minister Ryan announced yesterday a two-year trial of Project Booyah would begin in Mackay in January 2021.

ENDS

Media contact

Minister Ryan’s Office: Ph: (07) 3035 8300

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