Message from the Minister
Minister for Communities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Seniors and Youth
The Department of Communities is committed to achieving its vision of enabling people to live in strong communities where they feel safe, valued and empowered, wherever they live, whatever their circumstances.
This budget funds this vision by tackling a wide range of issues that affect our communities.
It aims to improve services for children and youth, improve child care, provide early intervention and support for families experiencing problems, address youth justice issues, redress past injustices and improve life in our Indigenous, rural and regional communities.
The department’s budget has increased with an allocation of $598 million in operational funding and an investment of $92.3 million in infrastructure to achieve these goals and more.
Building on the government’s response to the Forde Inquiry, the department will implement a redress scheme of up to $100 million for former child residents who experienced abuse and neglect in institutional care.
Child care will be improved through enhanced regulation and increased capacity to ensure the provision of quality child care in a high-demand environment. The Child Care Act 2002 will be reviewed to support these improvements and ensure services are accessible and responsive to the changing and diverse needs of families.
The department will continue to support families at risk of being involved in the child protection system by funding intensive child and family support, case management and improved access to specialist services.
The planned Early Years Strategy will receive financial assistance to enhance services and support provided to families who have children up to eight years old.
More than $12.2 million in capital funding will be provided to establish early childhood education and care centres on or near school sites in addition to the four Early Years Centres provided for in last year’s budget.
This budget recognises the need to strengthen policy coordination and services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It provides increased funding of $21.3 million over the next four years to enhance diversionary services.
A funding commitment of $18.2 million over four years, including $3 million in operational funding and an investment of $0.77 million in infrastructure in 2007–08, will enable the increased use of youth justice conferencing and the development of culturally appropriate programs within youth justice service centres.
Re-offending is also addressed with the extension of the bail support program and trialling of a young offender community response service providing supervised youth justice orders and welfare services.
Domestic and family violence prevention, the Safe Havens initiative and community support services will continue to receive increased support, as will the Seniors Enquiry Line and a pilot legal and support service program for seniors.
This is a budget that continues to build on many initiatives that are starting to make a difference. The Strengthening Non-Government Organisations strategy, the Blueprint for the Bush and Partnerships Queensland are good examples of how the vision of a better Queensland is being realised.
Warren Pitt, MP
Minister for Communities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Seniors and Youth