Amanda Camm Steps Down from Minister Position

Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm has stepped down from her role as Minister for Child Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, in an effort to prioritise her health and wellbeing.

The announcement comes a fortnight after Ms Camm returned from six weeks of medical leave following major surgery, with the Whitsunday MP recognising she needed more time to recover.

“This has been a considered and deeply personal decision,” Ms Camm said.

“Having returned from six weeks of medical leave following major surgery I have come to recognise that my recovery still has some way to go and I need to prioritise my health and wellbeing.”

“I sincerely thank the Premier for the opportunity to serve in his Government and for his support of my decision.”

Ms Camm added in a presser outside of Parliament house in Brisbane, that the pressures of ministerial work had contributed to her decision to step down.

This follows months of intense scrutiny over conditions for children in care and domestic violence prevention funding cuts had reinforced the importance of personal safety, especially in light of the recent attack on Victorian MP Helen Haines.

“Public scrutiny and accountability are essential to democracy and to our institutions,” she said.

“Harassment, threats, bullying and personal vilification are not and for the past year this has been my experience.”

But during her time in the role, Ms Camm oversaw reforms to strengthen child protection, support foster and kinship carers and improve responses to domestic and family violence.

Central to her child safety work was the Government’s response to the Child Safety Commission of Inquiry, which delivered 52 recommendations for improving the system.

“The landmark Child Safety Commission of Inquiry was the turning point for the Child Safety system,” Ms Camm said.

“There is much more work to be done, while early positive signs show we have stabilised numbers in the Residential Care system for the first time.”

Her work in domestic and family violence included introducing laws for electronic monitoring of perpetrators to strengthen accountability, alongside her reporting a doubling of calls answered by DVConnect to help more people access support when they needed it.

“After sitting with victims of domestic and family violence over many years through opposition and then in the ministry, I’m proud to have been part of delivering change that can help save lives,” Ms Camm said.

In a statement following her decision, Premier David Crisafulli praised her work across both portfolios, describing the child safety inquiry’s reform roadmap as her greatest legacy and highlighting improved access to the domestic violence helpline.

“I thank Amanda for her service to Queensland firstly as a Shadow Minister and then as a Minister,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“Amanda took on an enormous task with a Child Safety system in crisis and a state in need of domestic violence reform.

“With her dedication, passion and commitment, she has put Queensland on the road to repair both.

“I speak on behalf of the Government, the LNP and all Queenslanders in wishing her the best in her recovery.”

Ms Camm will continue serving as the Member for Whitsunday, reaffirming her commitment to the local community.

“I remain committed to the people of Whitsunday as their Member of Parliament, and to supporting the Premier and the Government in delivering a fresh start for Queensland,” she said.

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