David Crisafulli makes huge at-risk youth funding announcement

The Premier has made a surprise visit to Stockland Shopping Centre to uphold a promise he made during the election campaign. FIND OUT MORE

Rockhampton, 15 January 2025. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli during a visit to the Our Space facility in Rockhampton . Picture: Supplied

Premier David Crisafulli has visited Rockhampton to announce $150,000 in funding for the Our Space program.
Our Space, in Stockland Rockhampton Shopping Centre, is a service which provides early intervention for at-risk youth by providing a safe space and health and wellbeing support.
Mr Crisafulli said on January 15 that the funding injection was necessary to keep the program afloat.
“Closure was imminent – and I don’t think many people in Central Queensland would see that as anything but an absolute tragedy,” he said.
“Donna Kirkland took up the case during the election campaign and asked if we could find some money to be able to tide Our Space over.
“Today, we are staying true to our word and providing $150,000 to ensure that this service can continue.
“We spoke a lot about early intervention (during the State Election campaign) … giving kids love, support, compassion and structure – and places like Our Space do that.”

Our Space advocate Member for Rockhampton Donna Kirkland.

Member for Rockhampton Donna Kirkland said Our Space was a necessary service for the region.
“Our Space meets a very big need in our community,” she said.

“We had great concerns about the youth around the Stockland Shopping Centre creating a little bit of a nuisance.
“Those youth later on were potentially those that we would see moving into a lifestyle of crime.
“This is a great early intervention program … these guys see around 30 to 40 children every day come into this wonderful space where they feel safe.”

Member for Keppel Nigel Hutton.

Member for Keppel Nigel Hutton said the new funding was the first step for the LNP’s early intervention goals.

“This is just the first step in our community for the early intervention space,” he said.
“These programs are designed to help Central Queensland’s young people and they’re designed to make our community safer.”

Originally published as David Crisafulli makes huge at-risk youth funding announcement