Minister for Employment and Small Business, Training and Skills Development and
Minister for Youth Justice The Honourable Di Farmer MP
- Victims of youth crime to have a seat at strategy table
- Toowoomba resident and business owner Ken Cunliffe to join peak industry bodies, education providers, health and mental health service providers, and academics in steering youth justice reforms
- Builds on multimillion-dollar suite of initiatives and programs to help victims of crime in Queensland
Toowoomba resident and business owner Ken Cunliffe has agreed to be part of the Palaszczuk Government’s Youth Justice Strategy Reference Group.
The addition of a victim representative will be a valuable asset for the reference group, which provides ongoing advice about youth justice strategy to Youth Justice Minister Di Farmer.
This year, Mr Cunliffe established the Voice of Victims, Toowoomba Advocacy organisation after his car was stolen, and he was a force behind a crime forum held in the city in February this year.
The reference group already includes key government and community representatives, such as education and health providers, youth and indigenous community organisations, and academics, and is chaired by the Department of Youth Justice, Employment, Small Business and Training Director General Bob Gee
The Director General and the department will be a conduit between Mr Cunliffe and other agencies, including police and victims support groups.
The group has a focus on community safety, tackling the complex causes of youth crime and targeting the small cohort of serious repeat offenders.
The government also helps Queensland victims of crime through initiatives and programs, including:
- $30 million to help seniors safely secure their homes.
- $9 million to respond better to victims of property crime, including $3 million for counselling.
- $64 million for policing responses, including $25 million for high-viz patrols and specialist youth crime rapid response squads.
- $10 million for a vehicle-immobiliser trial in Cairns, Townsville and Mount Isa.
- The Small Business Wellness Package, which can be accessed by all small businesses, including those affected by crime.
Recommendations from the Inquiry into Support provided to Victims of Crime report are also being considered by government, and there has been a commitment to establish a Victims’ Commission.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Youth Justice Di Farmer:
“Community input across all relevant government portfolios is already significant, which is why we decided to invite Ken to join the Youth Justice Strategy Reference Group.
“I’ve met with victims of crime across the state and I think it’s important they have a voice in the ongoing process of developing our youth justice strategy.
“Ken established the Voice of Victims in Toowoomba and I believe he’ll be a strong advocate from a victim’s perspective.
“Community safety is a clear priority for this government and victims are at the core of the development of police and programs around youth crime.
“Putting victims’ voices at the heart of the youth justice programs we offer and the policy we make is critical to the success of these programs.”
Quotes attributable to Ken Cunliffe:
“It’s very exciting to be able to sit down at the table with experts and bring the view of someone who has actually been a victim of crime.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to talk about my experience as a victim and the experiences of others, and to actually make a difference.
“I’d like to thank the Minister for the chance to be a part of the reference group.”
