Crisafulli government announce tenders open for Regional Reset Programs

The Crisafulli Government have announced tenders are open for two of their programs aimed at tackling the youth crime crisis, after being slammed for their inaction by a North Queensland MP.

David Crisafulli, speaks at Question Time in QLD Parliament, Brisbane – on Friday 14th March 2025 – Photo Steve Pohlner

The Crisafulli Government have announced tenders are open for two of their programs aimed at tackling the youth crime crisis, after being slammed for their inaction by a North Queensland MP.

Premier David Crisafulli and Youth Justice Minister Laura Gerber announced on Friday that tenders for the Regional Reset Program and Staying on Track program had been opened to the market, with service providers invited to run the programs across the state.

Last week Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto said there had been silence on the implementations of youth crime programs, after he asked a Question on Notice to the government in December last year asking when they would happen.

“We had an answer in January, two months ago now, saying $50m would be set aside for this type of project and that tenders would go out as soon as possible,” he said at the time.

“That was two months ago and crime continues to rise across the city”.

Nick Dametto at the Townsville Courthouse. Picture: Nikita McGuire

Mr Dametto said there was “no deterrent” for young criminals and once again called for the government to adopt the KAP’s Castle Law policy to give would-be victims “the opportunity to defend themselves and have their rights galvanised”.

The LNP said the Regional Reset program will deliver nine early intervention residential programs on a one-to three-week basis, with the aim of diverting young people from a life of crime.

Regional Resets will be implemented in North Queensland, Far North Queensland, Rockhampton, Gold Coast and Logan, Ipswich, Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, Bundaberg and Western Queensland.

The goal is to “reset” youths who demonstrate high-risk behaviours such as substance abuse, aggression or truancy.

The Staying on Track program is a 12-month rehabilitation program after a young person has been released from detention.

The program includes 6 months of “intensive support” to help them back into society, in the hope of preventing them from becoming repeat offenders.

Laura Gerber, speaks at Question Time in QLD Parliament, Brisbane – on Friday 14th March 2025 – Photo Steve Pohlner

Youth Justice Minister Laura Gerber said the programs were “another step towards restoring safety.”

“By providing kids with effective early intervention and meaningful rehabilitation, we are providing them with the life skills, education and support to build a positive future,” she said.

“The Regional Reset program is part of our suite of early intervention measures and will put at-risk kids showing high-risk behaviours on a path away from crime and towards a brighter future.”

Ms Gerber said the new programs, along with the Making Queensland Safer Laws, will work to break the cycle of crime.

“Staying on Track will put an end to the detention merry-go-round by providing kids with effective rehabilitation after they are released to give them the support they need to turn away from a life of crime before they’re hardened criminals,” she said.

David Crisafulli, speaks at Question Time in QLD Parliament, Brisbane – on Friday 14th March 2025 – Photo Steve Pohlner

Premier David Crisafulli labelled the programs as “critical” in the bid to stop the rates of youth crime.

“We are focused on reducing the rates of reoffending in Queensland, and these programs will change the trajectory for troubled kids and turn them towards a brighter future,” he said.

Tenders for Staying on Track will close on 28 April and tenders for Regional Reset will close on 13 May.

For more information on the tender processes visit the Supplier Portal website.

Originally published as Crisafulli government announce tenders open for Regional Reset Programs