David Crisafulli announces Townsville as the location for one of four government-funded crime prevention schools
Opposition Leader David Crisafulli has promised a government-funded crime prevention school in Townsville if elected, with a youth mentor welcoming the promise.
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Opposition Leader David Crisafulli says Townsville will be one of the locations chosen for four government-funded crime prevention schools if elected in a few weeks.
Making the announcement in Townsville Wednesday morning, Mr Crisafulli outlined the LNP’s $40 million ‘Right Track’ program, part of their Make Our Community Safer Plan.
Mr Crisafulli named Townsville as the second school location, aimed at re-engaging at-risk youth who have fallen out of mainstream schools.
“Queensland is in the grip of a youth crime crisis and it’s impacting Queenslanders right across the state,” he said.
“Nowhere has it been more pronounced and no city has spoken out more clearly about it than the city of Townsville.”
“A generation of untouchables who know that their rights are greater than the rights of the victim, it was this city that called that out.”
Mr Crisafulli pledged during the first leaders debate on October 3 that he would resign as premier if the number of crime victims does not fall during his four-year term if elected.
“There will be fewer victims under an LNP government. I have put everything on the line to make sure that occurs” he said.
Townsville will adopt the model of the Men Of Business (MOB) Academy in the Gold Coast, a senior secondary school run by Marco Renai, who has been working with youth for 14 years “trying to understand how to make a difference”.
The MOB Academy was the first school announced by the LNP in September and will undergo an expansion.
Catering for boys in years 11 and 12, the academy has a strong focus on numeracy, literacy, health and wellbeing, commitment and respect.
Mr Renai, who was the 2024 Queensland Australian of the Year, said the academy currently enrols more than 200 boys who ‘never fit’ in the education system.
The MOB Academy was created after the community gathered to raise $1 million to set up the pilot program, with Mr Renai “excited” at the announcement of three more schools like it.
“This is such an exciting space because I feel like it gives us the opportunity to sow life education, wellness support, pathways, jobs, mentoring, a collaboration between government, community, corporate community,” he said.
“We’ve got a place that centres in love but also understands boundaries and the best part about that is now we are seeing all the fruits of that hard work.
“We are seeing that when we bring a tribe together, we bring community, government, council together, we can truly make a difference in these young men’s lives.”
With young men being sent to the academy either from government systems, referrals or parents who aren’t sure how to support their sons, Mr Renai is confident in the model he uses and says he believes in changing the future for at-risk youth.
“This money will be truly transformational for this area and what you find is that you will build a community and a structure and a support system that will truly make change,” he said.
Meanwhile, victims of crime will have access to a one-stop advocacy shop to help and guide them through the justice system under a $40m LNP plan.
The LNP’s proposed Victims’ Advocate Service would be a case management system rather than a referral service according to Opposition youth justice spokeswoman Laura Gerber.
“It means that victims can have one point of contact to be case managed to get the support and resources they need so that they don’t fall through the cracks,” she said.
Ms Gerber said it meant victims wouldn’t need to retell their story to individual service providers or agencies when trying to seek help or advice.
The Victims Advocate Service would sit under the existing Office of the Victims Commissioner.
It will take all of 2025 to set up according to the LNP, as services will need to be integrated to set up the VAS.
It will be up and running at some point in 2026.
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