Youth crime Qld: LNP’s $50m hunt for world’s best early intervention model

An LNP government would spend $50m on a global hunt to find the world’s best “new idea” for early intervention models to drive down Queensland youth crime.

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli. Picture: Liam Kidston

An LNP government would spend $50m on a global hunt to find the world’s best “new idea” for early intervention models to drive down Queensland youth crime.

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli will get a jump-start on the election campaign by leaving Brisbane early Monday and pledge $100m as part of his Gold Standard Early Intervention policy.

The policy will include $50m to find the world’s best evidence-based programs and ­$50m to fund growth of programs already ­delivering success.

Mr Crisafulli said he would set key performance indicators on taxpayer-funded programs, including that 90 per cent of kids didn’t commit crime during the program and 12 months after, all students built connections in local communities and had a 75 per cent attendance rate at work or school.

“The LNP’s Gold Standard Early Intervention policy will deliver world-class early intervention as the circuit-breaker needed in young lives to stop them turning to crime,” he said.

“Early intervention is an opportunity to teach kids every action has a consequence, while … providing guidance, connection and discipline to get them back on track.

“Under the LNP, early intervention will be outcomes focused and transparent, with every program measured regularly for success.”

Opposition youth justice spokeswoman Laura Gerber. Picture: Brendan Radke

The $50m kick-starter fund would pilot new programs and if successful, would be supported with ongoing funding.

LNP youth justice spokeswoman Laura Gerber said the program would be spread across regional Queensland.

Premier Steven Miles is expected to focus on health on Monday – the final day before the government is put into caretaker mode – before visiting Government House on Tuesday to ask Governor Jeannette Young to issue the writs for the October 26 poll.

The LNP has left the door open to announcing where satellite hospitals would be built if it is elected to government.

In addition to the seven ­operating, Mr Miles has pledged additional facilities in Mackay, Rockhampton, Cairns, Fraser Coast, Logan and the Sunshine Coast.

Asked if the LNP would deliver satellite hospitals in those areas, health spokeswoman Ros Bates said the Opposition would soon announce its own health policies.

“It’s an election commitment that has been made by the government, and we are yet to announce our election commitments, but we’ve already said that every satellite hospital that is currently there will continue to be there,” she said.

“There are places that really do need a lot of help, places like Mackay and Rockhampton … particularly places like Mackay where we’ve seen some horrible scenarios play out there.”

Originally published as Youth crime Qld: LNP’s $50m hunt for world’s best early intervention model