As of 31 March this year, 2819 children were in state residential care, according to child safety data. Photo: Jeff Hendricks.
The broken child safety system – described as more evident on the Cape than anywhere else in Queensland – is set to undergo sweeping changes after the State Government accepted most recommendations of the Child Safety Commission of Inquiry.
Leading Indigenous think tank Cape York Institute told the Commission of Inquiry into Queensland’s Child Safety System, held from July 2025 to May 2026, that the region was at “the epicentre” of the state’s “child protection and youth justice crisis”.
A submission titled ‘We have to get it right this time‘ outlined damning issues and said the organisation had “seen outcomes in remote Indigenous regions such as Cape York collapse and not only remain by far the worst there are in Australia, but in key areas — such as child protection, youth justice and incarceration — continue to worsen” over more than three decades.
The institute detailed “families trapped in deep, multidimensional disadvantage, where child protection, youth detention and prison have become routine features of the life”. The “vast majority” of First Nations children in Cape communities sit in the nation’s disadvantaged “bottom million”.
Improving the situation was described as “far more important than the Brisbane Olympics”, but the institute expressed concern the Games “may yet receive more focus, resourcing and effort”.
Now, the government has accepted 32 of 52 inquiry recommendations in full and 16 recommendations in principle. Another two recommendations were noted and two more will be further considered.
The government has agreed with Commissioner Paul Anastassiou KC that significant change is needed to restore the child safety system’s purpose and focus.
The commission exposed system failures which developed over years and outlined violence and sexual abuse experienced by children in care.
Warnings to the department as far back as 2020 were ignored and vulnerable children were left in deteriorating situations. Children were returned to dangerous circumstances and exposed to sexual abuse.
As of 31 March, 2819 children were in residential care, according to child safety data.
The government has pumped $200 million more into the system to deliver reform within two and a half years.
Justice and Integrity Minister Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said the state would make the system safer for kids in care.
Ms Frecklington said the commission made it clear too many kids were “failed” by the broken system and “vulnerable Queenslanders” were “let down when they needed protection most”.
“Queenslanders expect action and that is exactly what this government is delivering – because keeping children safe must always be our highest priority,” she said.
Child Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Minister Amanda Camm said the government’s response was a line in the sand.
“Today is the first step in what will be a challenging process to fix a broken system so children and young people can depend on a government that will keep them safe,” she said.
Child Safety Minister Amanda Camm says work will begin immediately. Photo: Facebook/Amanda Camm MP.
“From today the Crisafulli Government will begin the task of rebuilding the child safety system and drive change that vulnerable children, young people and families deserve.
“We can never promise the realities of cases we’re dealing with won’t continue to be challenging, but they are challenges we must rise to.”
Ms Camm said action to fix the system would begin immediately and be undertaken in stages over 30 months.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Minister Fiona Simpson said reforms would put the focus back on the best interests of the child.
“These reforms are focused on protecting the best interests of every Queensland child, just as they should be,” she said.
“These reforms will also include prioritising early intervention and prevention, as well as stability and permanency.
“It is vitally important that we work in the best interests of the child and in partnership with communities and families to achieve a safer future for children impacted by broken families and a broken system.”
PeakCare Queensland CEO Kelly Jebb said: “The sector stands ready and willing to work alongside government to implement reforms that improve outcomes for children and families.”
Phil Brooks, Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak CEO, welcomed reform.
He said the authority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community-Controlled Organisations should be strengthened to support families, tackle challenges early and create conditions for children to thrive safely at home wherever possible.
“We look forward to working in partnership with government to implement these reforms and uphold the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle, which retain culturally safe decision-making and better outcomes for our children,” Mr Brooks said.
Queensland Foster and Kinship Care CEO Bryan Smith said the state must reduce its reliance on residential care and rebuild a system centred on family-based care.
“I am pleased to see the government’s response focuses on strengthening pathways into foster and kinship care, improving assessment processes to attract more carers, and ensuring more vulnerable children can grow up in safe, stable family environments where they have the best opportunity to thrive,” he said.
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