Youth crime Qld: David Crisafulli in $15m taskforce pledge

The state government has pledged $15m in vital youth crime funding it claims Labor failed to budget beyond this year.

Premier David Crisafulli

The State Government will allocate $15.45m toward the police Youth Crime Taskforce for the next four years, claiming the former Labor government failed to fund it beyond this financial year.

Premier David Crisafulli said Monday’s announcement meant the Youth Crime Taskforce could focus on the survival of Queenslanders.

“For Queensland to successfully unravel a generation of youth crime we need permanent laws and a permanent policing presence,” he said.

“Adult crime, adult time gives the taskforce the tools it needs to make our community safer and this decision locks in the resources to focus on closing the revolving door on youth criminals.”

The Youth Crime Taskforce has seven major functions, including prevention, strategy and policy, operational support, diversion, enforcement, governance and reporting and stakeholder engagement and has overseen initiatives including Taskforce Guardian, Operation Whiskey Unison, Youth Co-Responder Teams and GPS monitoring.

The LNP claimed the project was not funded past June 30 this year despite the former Government announcing it had been made permanent in April 2024.

Mr Crisafulli said locking in the taskforce was another step to unlock the grip of the youth crime crisis.

Police Minister Dan Purdie said the funding would support the frontline and enforce the toughest youth crime laws Queensland had ever seen.

“Our message to police is clear: we’ve got your back, and will give you the certainty, resources and powers you need to do your job properly,” he said.