Miles Government backs helping hand for Queensland kids

• Miles Labor Government delivers $16.3 million in funding for better, more coordinated youth support services.
• $10 million set to deliver new, purpose built Queensland Police Service coordination hub for youth services
• The QPS Youth Coordination Hub will be co-located with the Inala PCYC.
• Further $6.3 million will see Project Booyah Bike School and Adventure Journey expanded to Inala.

The Miles Labor Government is investing $16.3 million in special initiatives, set to improve support for vulnerable Queensland kids.

The funding will deliver a new, purpose-built statewide Queensland Police Service Youth Coordination Hub and expand specialty intervention services into the Inala region.

The $10 million QPS Youth Coordination Hub will be built and operated by the Queensland Police Service, and co-located with the existing Inala PCYC.

The QPS Hub will provide a central location for the coordination of youth focused programs delivered by the Queensland Police Service and across government.

Programs include School Based Police Officers, the Adopt-a-Cop program, School Support Officers and the Youth Programs Coordination Unit, as well as dedicated youth early intervention support.

Its goal will be to identify new opportunities, increase effectiveness and improve the quality of programs delivered. This could be through training, research and intelligence organised within the new Youth Coordination Hub.

A further $6.3 million investment will expand Project Booyah programs to Inala, including the Bike School and Adventure Journey.

Project Booyah is a 16-week intervention and mentoring program that incorporates leadership development, social and skills training, vocational support and adventure-based learning.

Its aim is to reconnect disengaged young people with their communities and employment, while building confidence and resilience.

The Bike School will be based at the Inala PCYC and deliver bike mechanic training for Project Booyah graduates.

The Adventure Journey will create a pathway for Project Booyah graduates to take part in a bronze Duke of Edinburgh program.

It’s expected these initiatives will keep Project Booyah participants engaged in social, community-based activities beyond their graduation from Project Booyah.

The $16.3 million in total funding comes in addition to $50 million invested statewide to deliver new and upgraded PCYCs in 54 locations.

The 2023 Queensland State Budget also includes $6 million to support PCYC in delivering increased intervention and prevention programs.

Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Miles:

“PCYCs are a staple of Queensland communities.

“They are a place kids go to get involved in sports like boxing or gymnastics or attend after school and vacation care.

“But these facilities also play an important role in supporting some of our most vulnerable.

“Queensland Police, alongside PCYC, administer great community-based programs that can turn the lives of young people around – putting them on a path for good.

“What Police have identified is that with multiple intervention programs running across the state, we now need a new level of coordination.

“My government has listened, and we’re delivering. $10 million in funding is on the table to deliver a QPS Youth Coordination Hub, based in Inala.

“My hope is the QPS Hub will help to deliver better, more coordinated programs for at-risk Queensland kids, reducing their interaction with the Youth Justice system.”

Quotes attributable to Police Minister Mark Ryan:

“The Queensland Police Service is proud to run very successful intervention programs, like the award-winning Project Booyah.

“Once built, the new QPS Youth Coordination Hub will host Queensland Police Staff and act as a command centre for prevention and intervention programs delivered around the state.

“It has been deliberately co-located with the Inala PCYC, where many of these programs are provided and Project Booyah initiatives will expand.

“I want to commend Police for their commitment to targeting the complex causes of youth crime and acting to break the cycle of offending.

“Our government will continue to listen and invest in the prevention, intervention and detention initiatives that are proven to work.

“We won’t cut funding or early intervention programs like the LNP did… and will do again if given the chance.”

ENDS