Whitsunday MP Amanda Camm calls election promises ‘iron-clad’, no firm dates given by 100-day mark

Whitsunday MP Amanda Camm now has a ministry with big responsibilities — but when will Mackay-Bucasia Rd, Shute Harbour, and more be funded?

Queensland Minister for Child Safety Amanda Camm said that all the election commitments her government had made were being “fed through” the budget process.

It’s a big step to take on a ministry portfolio in your second term of politics after your party has languished in opposition for a decade.

But Whitsunday LNP MP Amanda Camm — now Minister for Families, Seniors and Disability Services, Minister for Child Safety and Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence will have to balance her duties with the promises she made to her electorate just 100 days ago.

They include a $20m funding boost for Mackay-Bucasia Rd, $100k to the Airlie Bowls club for solar panels, and $10m for the Shute Harbour boat ramp to replace cyclone damaged facilities.

In an interview with this masthead, Ms Camm quickly pointed to her predecessors, blamed them for budget woes and said that all the election commitments her government had made were being “fed through” the budget process.

All the funding promises were “iron-clad” for this term, she said, but would not commit to dates they would be delivered.

“Mackay-Bucasia road has been prioritised as the number one commitment from my election,” she said, adding that she had met with Brent Mickelberg, Minister for Transport and Main Roads.

LNP commits $20m for upgrades to Mackay-Bucasia Road on October 1, 2024, alongside Mackay's mayor and deputy mayor at the Golf Links Road intersection. (L-R) Nigel Dalton, LNP candidate for Mackay, Whitsunday MP Amanda Camm, Mackay mayor Greg Williamson, LNP deputy leader Jarrod Bleijie, Mackay deputy mayor Karen May).

When asked when works would start, Ms Camm said she would be engaging with Transport and Main Roads, along with Mackay Regional Council, which had undertaken traffic studies.

The Northern Beaches Bowls Club — promised $500k for shade sails on its bowling green — is under construction, and Ms Camm said the money would be timed with when the sails could be installed.

The Whitsunday Regional Council has preliminary designs for the Shute Harbour ramp project, Ms Camm added.

“The focus for me on behalf of the region is making sure we get back funding from royalties across the electorate,” Ms Camm said.

According to Ms Camm, funding had not increased relative to population and demand for support services YIRS Mackay, along with the Proserpine, Whitsunday Community Neighbourhood centres, Youthspace, and Mackay Advocacy.

“It leaves us vulnerable as a community,” Ms Camm said.

“People aren’t getting the support they need.”

Minister for Child Safety Amanda Camm speaks to the media at Queensland parliament, Brisbane, Tuesday, January 14, 2025 – Picture: Richard Walker

Her duties as a minister include the prevention of domestic and family violence, which feeds into broader issues like youth crime.

“The comprehensive reform agenda I am tasked with and take seriously will have a focus on early intervention and prevention,” Ms Camm said.

“Domestic violence is one of the growing risk factors contributing to risk and harm of children and young people.”

In December Ms Camm ordered a review into DVConnect, a 24/7 hotline helping people around domestic and family violence, sexual assault, and other violent crimes.

Last month, she was questioned about the state’s response to the death of a two-year child in Gracemere, born to a teen mother and believed to have died while she was visiting a foster care home.

“I can’t speak specifically about individual cases given the child protection act,” Ms Camm said in response to questions about the case.

Speaking broadly, she said there is automatic process of review triggered for children who die while they are in the care of the state.

Originally published as Whitsunday MP Amanda Camm calls election promises ‘iron-clad’, no firm dates given by 100-day mark