Amanda Camm Steps Down from Minister Position Amid Harassment Claims

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 amongst intense scrutiny.  

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She will continue in her role as Member for Whitsunday.

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.  

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“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.”  

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

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

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Her resignation follows months of intense scrutiny over conditions in childcare, such as alleged children sleeping on the floors of child safety offices and funding cuts to the domestic and family violence prevention sector in the latest state budget.  

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Addressing that scrutiny, Ms Camm drew a distinction between public accountability and the personal treatment she said she had experienced.

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

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

Her comments, which hit the news alongside the recent attack on Victorian MP Helen Haines, has opened up questions to the treatment of women in the public eye, with one Whitsunday local speaking up.

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“Seriously why do we target competent women in public service in ways that are cruel and downright disgusting to this point?” said Katelyn Aslett.

“Regardless of your political view a good democracy needs debate and scrutiny for sure but not threats, violence, bullying and harassment. I am just at a loss for how this has become the norm.”  

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During her time in office Ms Camm oversaw reforms to child protection, overseeing the Government’s response to the Child Safety Commission of Inquiry, which delivered 52 recommendations for improving the system.  

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Her work in domestic and family violence included introducing laws for electronic monitoring of perpetrators to strengthen accountability. Ms Camm was also praised by Premier David Crisafulli for the doubling of calls answered by the DVConnect helpline.

In a statement following her decision to resign from the ministerial position, Premier Crisafulli praised her work across both portfolios, describing the child safety inquiry’s reform roadmap as her greatest legacy.  

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“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.  

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“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.”  

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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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