David Crisafulli announces LNP will fund four early intervention schools if it wins government

David Crisafulli has announced the LNP will sink $40m on four schools designed to stop troubled young people from getting sucked into a life of crime and ‘running off the rails’.

LNP Gaven candidate Bianca Stone, Men of Business Academy founder and CEO Marco Renai, graduate Haami, Men of Business Academy CEO Jason Sessarago, LNP leader David Crisafulli and Shadow Youth Justice Minister Laura Gerber at the Men of Business Academy premises in Southport.

David Crisafulli has announced the LNP will spend $40m on four schools designed to stop troubled young people from getting involved in crime and ‘running off the rails’.

Speaking at the Men of Business Academy at Southport on the Gold Coast, which would be the first to benefit from the new fund if the LNP win October’s election, Mr Crisafulli said the “gold standard” early intervention schools would help steer young people away from crime.

“I’ve been in this place many times before, and I never leave without feeling inspired. It is an amazing success story and what we’re doing is giving them the ability to expand it earlier and to more young men,” he said.

“This is gold standard. Earlier than ever before, more targeted than ever before, and it will stop the number of victims reaching levels that we have never seen before. That’s what this is about.

“It’s about giving young kids hope, it’s about giving opportunity, it’s about giving structure.”

Shadow Youth Justice Minister Laura Gerber, LNP leader David Crisafulli and LNP Gaven candidate Bianca Stone, at the Men of Business Academy premises in Southport.

Under the plan the Men of Business Academy, which currently caters for 220 students in Years 11 and 12, would expand to also cover Years 7 to 10 and cater for up to 450 students.

Three further schools would be funded across Queensland, with an overall capacity for 900 students.

Mr Crisafulli said it would stop youths spiralling “out of control” and contributing to the state’s youth crime problem.

“We have to make sure that young people when they are disengaging from mainstream schools see this is an option,” he said.

“By having it start in grade 7 you are much more likely to be that circuit breaker before they run off the rails.”

Plans for an expanded Men of Business Academy in Southport on the Gold Coast.

Men of Business Academy founder and CEO Marco Renai said boys were referred to the academy from schools, government services and single mums. They were often lost, broken or confused when they started at the school.

“We’ve got to create some real role models, and make a real difference so these boys understand what growing up to be a real man is, and how as a real man we can support the community and make a difference,” he said.

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