Boot camp trial budget blow-out

LNP’s boot camp fiasco continues after revelations of contract variations, bizarre payments and financial incentives in North Queensland.

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CONTRACT variations, biz­arre payments and financial incentives have led to a budget blowout at North Queensland’s youth boot camp.

A review into Queensland’s four boot camps has revealed the two-year trial is set to be more than $7.4 million over budget, and the Lincoln Springs Sentenced Youth Boot Camp (SYBC) contributed substantially to the cost.

An independent panel chose another supplier as their preferred supplier for the boot camp, near Ingham, but former Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie dismissed that advice and awarded the contract to ­Beyond Billabong.

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Auditor-General Andrew Greaves criticised Mr Bleijie for not providing documentation to support his decision.

“The evidence indicates suitable, lower cost service providers were available,” the report said. “It ultimately leaves the process of awarding the two contracts (the other contract was for the Fraser Coast boot camp) open to accusations of favouritism.”

The review found Beyond Billabong variations led to the contract value jumping from $2.2 million to $2.9 million per annum.

It was also revealed the Department of Justice and Attorney-General leased a portion of land for the facility for $175,000 a year.

Additional payments were made to the sublessor including $240,410 for renovations to their private residence, upgrades to farm infrastructure, about $27,000 for a hay shed, $10,000 in relocation expenses and $22,000 for legal expenses.

The report said the Lincoln Springs SYBC occupied a portion of the property and the sublessors continued to live on and use the remaining land.

It was also revealed the state was paying for additional security at the facility, and the new contract provided for ­financial incentives to be paid to Beyond Billabong.

Incentives included $3000 for each participant who completed their order and $5000 per participant who did not reoffend within six months.

In a letter of response, Beyond Billabong CEO Boyd Curran said the contract variations accounted for the introduction of mandatory sentencing for repeat car thieves, and the increased resources required.

Mr Curran said Mr Bleijie made the decision to roster corrective services staff at the facility prior to the start of the program.

Mundingburra MP Coralee O’Rourke said the boot camp scheme would be reviewed as part of the wider review of juvenile justice.

Originally published as Boot camp trial budget blow-out