I have sincerely appreciated the support you have shown me throughout the past six years, and the many kind messages and warm wishes have contributed to my decision to stay. I hope you will continue to work with me and the Commission as we embark on the next phase of the reform journey.
Your commitment has been invaluable, and the change that has been achieved could not have been possible without your support, contribution and dedication. I look forward to continuing our work together to improve the lives of people with mental illness, problematic alcohol and drug use and suicidal ideation, their families and carers.
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State budget
I was pleased to see the recent state budget included record funding for youth justice, child safety, health and housing.
The government announced funding of $446.4 million over five years to support community safety, tackle the complex causes of youth crime and help boost police resources. The funding included $78.1 million over four years to extend and expand the youth co-responder teams, which sees police and youth justice workers engage with young people to deter offending.
The budget also delivered record investment for child safety, which will see early intervention services extended, with Family and Child Connect services receiving $48.5m over three years from 2024–2025 and $16.2m ongoing from 2027–2028.
As many Queenslanders face the impacts of national cost of living and housing pressures, the government announced it is investing $5 billion for the delivery of social and affordable housing, and housing and homelessness supports.
This is comprised of $3 billion to support the Housing and Homelessness Action Plan 2021–2025 and a $2 billion investment for the Housing Investment Fund.
The budget also provided significant funding for the health system, with investment in women’s healthcare and mental health services. Mental health services will receive a $301.4 million boost under the $1.645 billion Better Care Together: A plan for Queensland’s state-funded mental health alcohol and other drug services to 2027. This includes $150 million for a new mental health facility for Redland Hospital.