The Hon. David Crisafulli, Premier of Queensland; The Hon. Laura Gerber, Minister for Youth Justice and Victim Support (Qld), Media Release, 1 October 2025
The Crisafulli Government is delivering a new post-detention intensive rehabilitation program for youth offenders in Far North Queensland.
It is one of the ways the Crisafulli Government is delivering for Far North Queensland, with Staying on Track offering up to 12 months of rehabilitation for youths exiting detention, including at least six months’ intensive support to reintegrate them into the community and prevent them falling back into a cycle of crime.
Namu Collective Ptd Ltd, Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation and Shine for Kids will roll out the Staying on Track program in the Far North, following an extensive tender process.
These programs use a network of mentors, family support, and community engagement to help youth strengthen life skills, build positive relationships, and reduce reoffending, laying the foundation for long term change.
The former Labor Government’s weak laws and fewer police created a Youth Crime Crisis, with 96 per cent of youth in detention reoffending within a year.
Under the former Government, youth were given only 72 hours of support after detention, leading to skyrocketing reoffending rates.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering a fresh start to restore safety where you live with stronger laws, more police, early intervention and rehabilitation.
Premier David Crisafulli said the Government was delivering the fresh start Queenslanders voted for, exactly as promised.
“We are delivering rehabilitation programs like Staying on Track that prevent youth from reoffending and restoring safety where you live,” Premier Crisafulli said.
“Not only is Adult Crime, Adult Time delivering consequences for action, but we’re also investing in early intervention and rehabilitation to help stop repeat crime and make Queensland safer.
“This is rehabilitation that will start during detention and continue for a year after, to prevent them reoffending.
“While we are seeing crime down and victim numbers down, there is much more to be done to make Queensland safer, and we remain committed to delivering the fresh start we promised.”
Minister for Youth Justice and Victim Support Laura Gerber said the Crisafulli Government’s Staying on Track program would be a critical step in breaking the cycle of repeat youth offending in Queensland.
“The best way to stop youth offenders from continuing to offend is to invest in effective rehabilitation and Staying on Track is designed to give youth leaving detention the support they need to make a fresh start,” Minister Gerber said.
“The former Labor Government failed to invest in effective rehabilitation, which created a generation of serious repeat offenders.
“Staying on Track is about preventing re-offending, reducing the number of victims of crime, and making Queensland a safer place.”
Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation On Country Program Director Naomi Abel said the ongoing support offered by the Staying on Track program will assist youth as they leave detention.
“Previously youth had 72-hour plans which weren’t long enough – now they will have dedicated staff who will mentor them while they’re in detention, and then that support will continue on the outside,” Ms Abel said.
Namu Collective founder Genus Passi said that the Staying on Track program was an opportunity to create a different pathway for youth involved in the youth justice system.
“This program is promoting a cultural foundation and providing youth with the skills and capacity, along with their families, to develop and grow,” Mr Passi said.
Shine for Kids National Practice Manager Moana Wati said she was excited to see the rollout of the Staying on Track program in Queensland.
“We believe this program is going to a great, positive influence on youth and their families when they leave detention,” Ms Wati said.
“A similar program Shine for Kids runs in New South Wales has seen some great results.”
Member for Barron River Bree James said Staying on Track was a major step towards making the Far North safer.
“If we can stop young people from reoffending, it means less families in my community are waking up to find their homes broken into or cars pinched,” Ms James said.
“Staying on Track is about breaking the cycle of crime, and reducing the number of victims in Queensland.”
Member for Mulgrave Terry James said effective rehabilition would deliver a fresh start for Far North Queensland.
“Young offenders in our community were leaving detention without help or guidance to make better life choices, but the Staying on Track program will give them extended support to help prevent reoffending,” Mr James said.
Member for Cook David Kempton said the Government was focused on driving down crime in the Far North.
“Police have been arresting dozens of serious repeat offenders through their major crime crackdown in the Far North, and now we have the Staying on Track program to help prevent them from reoffending again,” Mr Kempton said.
For more information on the Staying on Track program, visit: Staying on Track | Department of Youth Justice and Victim Support.