Crisafulli Government locks in the Youth Crime Taskforce
- Crisafulli Government announces $15.45 million to make Youth Crime Taskforce permanent
- The Youth Crime Taskforce now has operational certainty and can spearhead the fight against Labor's Youth Crime Crisis
- Ongoing funding will support 16 full-time staff in coordinating the Taskforce and targeting the most serious youth offenders.
The Crisafulli Government has announced it has locked-in four years of funding for the Queensland Police Youth Crime Taskforce, after the former Government failed to fund it beyond this financial year.
A $15.452 million commitment delivers certainty for the Taskforce to continue its operations and with the Making Queensland Safer Laws in effect, gives police the strong laws needed to be effective in tackling youth crime.
The announcement follows revelations the previous Government failed to fund the Taskforce.
This ongoing funding will support 16 full-time staff in targeting high harm offending through targeted operations including Taskforce Guardian and Operation Whiskey Legion. Youth Crime Co-Responder teams will also become a permanent fixture, empowering young people to make positive choices and aiming to reduce the number of young people committing offences.
Premier David Crisafulli said setting the Taskforce in stone was another step towards unlocking the grip of Labor's youth crime crisis on Queensland. "For Queensland to successfully unravel a generation of youth crime we need permanent laws and a permanent policing presence," Premier Crisafulli said. "Today's announcement means the Youth Crime Taskforce can focus on the survival of Queenslanders, not looking over its own should for its own ongoing survival, "Adult Crime, Adult Time gives the Taskforce the tools it needs to make our community safer and this decision locks in the resources to focus on closing the revolving door on youth criminals." Minister for Police Dan Purdie said the funding worked hand-in-glove with stronger laws to empower police to do their jobs effectively. "The Crisafulli Government has secured $15m in funding to support the front-line and enforce the toughest youth crime laws Queensland has ever seen," Minister Purdie said. "The fact Labor failed to fund the Taskforce into the future is more evidence they didn't take youth crime seriously. "Labor's weak laws were a handbrake, now the Taskforce can accelerate the fight against youth crime. "Our message to police is clear: we've got your back, and will give you the certainty, resources and powers you need to do your job properly." Queensland Police Service Commissioner Steve Gollschewski assured Queenslanders the service was committing to addressing youth crime from every angle. "My priority is ensuring the community is, and feels safe, by targeting offenders causing harm to our community," Commissioner Gollschewski said. "We continue to see positive results through Taskforce Guardian, Operation Whiskey Legion, and proactive activities including high visibility patrols and engagements with young people."
