Qld Budget estimates: Housing crisis, child safety and path to treaty

Taxpayers forked out about $340 million in the last financial year to repair damaged social housing properties in Queensland as images of a destroyed home were allegedly leaked by a whistleblower. 

Taxpayers forked out about $340 million in the last financial year to repair damaged social housing properties in Queensland as images of a destroyed home were allegedly leaked by a whistleblower.

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Updates

6:48 pm August 10, 2023

End of estimates 2023

Madura McCormack

And that's a wrap for budget estimates for the year.

Thank you for staying with us on the live blog, it's been a pleasure.

Before you go here is a recap of each budget estimates day for nostalgia sake.

Day 1: 'Disruptive' changes my prerogative: Premier

Day 2: Airbnb crackdown 'would have limited effect' on property market

Day 3: Alleged ex-bikie and one-punch attacker gave motivational speech to public servants

Day 4: Four health investigations underway as Health Minister faces grilling (+week recap)

Day 5: Bailey's office "suggested" true train program cost be deleted

Day 6: True cost of scrapped Queensland Police project revealed

6:36 pm August 10, 2023

Child safe standards consultation not linked to horrific childcare case

Madura McCormack

Stephanie Bennett

Mr Crawford has been asked about the government's decision to release a public consultation on a proposal to implement a reportable conduct scheme in Queensland, to further protect children from abuse.
But he was adament there was no link between the release of the proposal and the horrific alleged case of a child care worker raping children over several years – as case which has been dupped the worst Australian has ever seen.
"This work has been coming for sometime," he said.
"There is no comparison to be drawn whatsoever between the events of the last few weeks and today's release."
Mr Crawford said the scheme would go further than the Blue Card system captures people who have been charged or convicted of an offence.
"But if it's someone saying, there's something not right about that person over there, there's not a way to capture that and that's what a reportable conduct scheme does."

6:35 pm August 10, 2023

Kids survey

Madura McCormack

Stephanie Bennett

Mr Crawford is now talking about a survey of kids in care which was conducted.
He notes while there are a number of positive aspects, he said figures which showed more than 11 per cent of kids were not getting access to medication, toiletries, tampons and pads as "absolutely not good enough".
"If there's one thing we're unified on, it's this, because no young person should go without these items," he said.
"And that is something we will work on."

6:35 pm August 10, 2023

Resi-care report due in December

Madura McCormack

Stephanie Bennett

Child Safety Minister Craig Crawford has been asked about a review he ordered into the state’s residential care homes, and whether it is appropriate it will be conducted internally by the department.

Mr Crawford called the review immediately after The Courier-Mail revealed distressing stories inside the state’s residential care homes.

He said he was confident about the review process, with Acting Director-General Kate Connors saying the review would involve a number of people across the department including a central team of about 10.

“Since I announced the residential care review the department has partnered with key stakeholders to finalise a terms of reference to establish the key lines of inquiry underpinning the review,” he said.

Mr Crawford also said QFCC Commissioner Luke Twyford would report to him regularly, with a roundtable flagged for September and a final report in December.

“Most importantly, the consultation plan outlines how children and young people in care and those with a previous care experience can voice their opinions,” he said,

“I welcome all ideas on how we can do this better.”

5:16 pm August 10, 2023 Highlight

'Sincere regret' in case of two brother neglected for years

Madura McCormack

Disability Services Minister Craig Crawford has expressed “sincere regret” for the state government’s role in the case of two Brisbane brothers with autism forced to endure nearly two decades of horrific neglect.
Mr Crawford committed to considering all relevant recommendations set to come out of the disability royal commission, and “publicly report on acceptance and progress”.
The Disability Royal Commission focused its final week of hearing held in Brisbane in May, on the “preventable” violence, abuse and neglect faced by two brothers with autism and whether state agencies “could or should” have acted.
The brothers, aged 17 and 19, known by pseudonyms Kaleb and Jonathon, were found severely malnourished, wearing nothing but soiled nappies, locked in a bare room with no access to food, water or toilets, while their father lay dead in the next room on 2020.
It was revealed that the brothers endured nearly two decades of neglect while living with their alcoholic father, despite more than 100 complaints across at least six departments – child safety, education, housing, health, police and disability.
Three high-ranking bureaucrats representing child safety, education and housing admitted to the Disability Royal Commission that more could have been done to intervene and help the boys.

4:05 pm August 10, 2023

Disability services budget estimates feat. AUSLAN interpreter

Madura McCormack

Famed AUSLAN interpreter Mikey Webb has popped up on screen for the budget estimates hearing into the disability services portfolio.

AUSLAN interpreter Mikey Webb (top left box) is on deck for the disability services portfolio budget estimates.

3:43 pm August 10, 2023

Proposed child safety reforms released for consultation, again.

Madura McCormack

Proposed new measures to further protect children against abuse including a scheme ensuring all suspected sexual misconduct is reported has been released for wider public consultation.
It comes more than two years after the state government initially released a consultation paper for “targeted” feedback, receiving about 30 submissions.
The proposed measures are borne from the Royal Commission into child sexual abuse and have crossover with the Queensland Family and Children Commission’s Blue Card reform recommendations.
Child Safety Minister Craig Crawford released the 140-page “Growing Child Safe Organisations in Queensland” report and consultation paper for feedback on the impact of the proposed regulation.
Under the preferred model, a single, independent oversight body would be established to help organisations implement 10 new child safe standards and handle child abuse complaints and allegations as part of a reportable conduct scheme.
“Parents expect when their child goes to school, sport or church that they are in a safe place,” he said.
“These proposed measures tie in with efforts nationally to fix gaps and create consistency with child safe standards.
“They’d reduce the risk of potential offenders moving between sectors to evade detection. And it’d lead to better sharing of intelligence with other regulators, authorities and jurisdictions.”

http://www.qld.gov.au/growing-child-safe-organisations

3:41 pm August 10, 2023 Highlight

'Racist and defamatory': Enoch doubles down

James Hall

Cabinet Minister Leeanne Enoch has stood by removing non-First Nations department staff from introductory meetings and labelled criticism of the practice from the Opposition as “racist and defamatory”.
During a budget estimates hearing on Thursday, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Minister Leeanne Enoch was quizzed about the practice, which the Opposition described as “segregation”.
Ms Enoch said it was normal cultural practice for Aboriginal people and was done to better understand their relationships — familial or cultural — with each other.
Following the hearing, the Minister released a statement criticising LNP members of the committee for refusing to reveal their position on the Voice to Parliament.
Ms Enoch also blasted the Opposition for criticising the meeting practice, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships shadow spokesman John-Paul Langbroek who referred to the process as “segregation”.
“Not only did they remain silent on a Voice to Parliament, but they chose to pursue a racist and defamatory line of questioning in an attempt to discredit First Nations cultural practices that have existed for generations,” the Minister said.
“In a desperate attempt to politicise the parliamentary estimates process, the actions of the Queensland LNP speak louder than the words they won't say about the Voice.”
But Mr Langbroek said the Minister’s reaction to the criticism was “out of touch”, and reiterated concerns about the practice was raised by departmental staff working under Ms Enoch.
“Suddenly she's turned that around in the way that she has shows she has literally no idea about how this is viewed by public servants and probably the wider populace as well,” he told reporters.
“It was clearly segregation when you have non-Indigenous and Indigenous people there together and the non-Indigenous people are asked to leave.
“So I asked the Director-General if she supports the concept of segregated meetings allocated by race.”

2:09 pm August 10, 2023 Highlight

$340 million to repair Queensland's social homes

James Hall

Taxpayers forked out about $340 million in the last financial year to repair damaged social housing properties in Queensland as images of a destroyed home were allegedly leaked by a whistleblower.
Under questioning from the Opposition, Department of Housing Director-General Mark Cridland revealed to the budget estimates hearing the total cost for planned and responsive repair for the 55,000 homes in 2022/23 managed by the department was about $340 million.
A Queensland government spokesman said the figure also included necessary improvements to homes, including replacing roofs and fences that were in need of replacement.
It also includes other general maintenance work expected of a landlord if a property was rented on the private market.

Image of destroyed home the Opposition says is managed by Department of Housing.

During the hearing, Opposition housing spokesman Tim Mander tabled images of a social home in regional Queensland he said was provided by a whistleblower.
Department of Housing Director-General Mark Cridland said he was unable to confirm if the images were taken at a property managed by the department.
“Without any details about that properly, I can't verify that that's from one of our houses,” he said.
But Mr Mander told the hearing: “I can confirm that this is a public social housing property in regional Queensland”.

Image of destroyed home the Opposition says is managed by Department of Housing.

11:55 am August 10, 2023

Funding for renters' support

James Hall

The state government will fund a rental support service for another five years through a nearly $45 million in funding for the Queensland Statewide Tenant Advice and Referral Service (QSTARS).
The group provides information to tenants related to their rights and responsibilities, as well as providing support to resolve issues with landlords and property managers.
It also supports tenants in preparing for QCAT hearings.
Tenants Queensland chief executive Penny Carr said the funding is crucial to providing support to renters at a time of significant strain on the sector.
“Right now is a trying time for many households and it makes a difference to them knowing there is an independent advisory service to provide professional advice and support, specifically targeted to their needs as renters,” she said.
Ahead of appearing at budget estimates, Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon said it was important tenants know their rights.
“I want to make sure that renters have access to advice or assistance when they need it,” she said.
“Around 120,000 Queenslander households are assisted through QSTARS each year.”