Youth Justice minister Leanne Linard describes ‘challenges’ CYDC staff face after recent trip north

Freshly-minted youth justice minister Leanne Linard has spruiked her recent visit to Townsville in her opening speech at parliament, saying she heard staff concerns first-hand.

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FRESHLY-minted youth justice minister Leanne Linard has spruiked her recent visit to Townsville in her opening speech at parliament, saying she heard staff concerns first-hand.

Ms Linard, who is the member for Nudgee, gave the speech at the second full parliament sitting of the new ministry on Tuesday morning outlining how staff at Cleveland Youth Detention Centre work in “challenging environments” with kids from traumatic backgrounds.

Her speech comes after Townsville Bulletin reported a spate of assaults at the detention centre, with some staff too scared to return to work and fears a riot may break out or an inmate might take a guard hostage.

Leanne Linard pictured at Parliament House, Brisbane. (Image/Josh Woning)

The Bulletin repeatedly questioned Ms Linard about when she would visit Townsville to hear from these workers, but she never responded, and it was revealed she recently conducted a secret trip north.

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Ms Linard met with youth justice and child safety workers, as well as CYDC staff.

She said it was “encouraging” to hear stories of some young people who had turned their lives around.

Police responded to an incident at the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre last week, with reports of multiple teenage criminals on the roof. PICTURE: MATT TAYLOR.

“Staff are dedicated and committed to doing all they can to keep the community safe and give these young people a chance at a better life,” she said.

Ms Linard said everyone had a role to play in solving youth crime and child safety issues.

Originally published as Youth Justice minister Leanne Linard describes ‘challenges’ CYDC staff face after recent trip north