Regional Reset program funding will provide 24/7 support: Minister
The youth justice minister says the Regional Reset program will deliver around-the-clock support despite the department stating “no expectation of a fixed 24/7” facility.
Cairns
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cairns. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The youth justice minister says the government’s Regional Reset program will deliver around-the-clock support despite a department document stating “no expectation of a fixed 24/7” facility.
The $50m scheme launched in Cairns during the campaign by now Youth Justice Minister Laura Gerber and Premier David Crisafulli was pledged to be a 24/7 residential, “wraparound” program.
“The LNP’s Regional Reset programs are 24/7 residential programs providing wraparound support to completely reset the habits and behaviours that are driving toward crime,” Ms Gerber said in October.
But in a government document which outlined conditions of funding for interested organisations, the department said it was seeking “innovative responses” on how the live-in component could be delivered.
“Due to budgetary constraints, there is no expectation of a fixed 24/7 facility,” the paper read.
Shadow youth justice minister Di Farmer claimed her government counterpart had underfunded the highly touted program.
“Laura Gerber said her crime-busting regional reset programs would deliver 24/7 wraparound support for young people, but it turns out she’s bungled the budget,” Ms Farmer said.
“I am expecting a fulsome definition for gold standard early intervention any day now, but for the benefit of Laura Gerber, I don’t think it’s her regional reset programs.
“The tender process has dragged on for months now and I think what Queenslanders want to see is this program up and running and clear answers on how this supposed circuit breaker will actually help young people.”
But Ms Gerber said the government would deliver what it promised.
“To suggest our Regional Reset programs are not fully funded to provide 24/7 wraparound support is false,” she said.
“Each youth will receive 24/7 support and supervision during the compulsory live-in component.
“We’ve allocated $50 million for nine Regional Reset programs, which will be tailored to communities, fully funded and deliver a one to three week reset for youths to divert them from a life of crime.”
A spokeswoman confirmed the live-in component would be compulsory, but the facility would not be required to operate 24/7 when the reset program was not running, and the organisation could use its premise for other local purposes.
Tenders for the Regional Reset funding closed on May 13, but successful applicants are yet to be announced, despite the state budget allocating $12.5m for the initiative in the 2024-25 financial year.
The program will award about $1.3m per year to nine locations, which also included Townsville and Mount Isa in the north.
Premier David Crisafulli said what each program looked like would be “driven locally” and that it would be “properly resourced.”
More Coverage
Originally published as Regional Reset program funding will provide 24/7 support: Minister
‘They’ve disrupted our knowledge’: Why we need Indigenous skills
Australians are relying on the advice of Indigenous elders more than ever, Cairns NAIDOC Week organisers say, urging the governments to follow suit.
David vs David: Premier’s regional spending stoush
Tensions within the LNP have emerged as a Far North MP called out premier David Crisafulli for a forecast lack of spending across regional Qld in the lead up to the 2032 Games.