DFV Minister Announces New Investment To Support Frontline Services

Amanda Camm has welcomed a major investment in domestic and family violence support services, with new measures also announced to address youth crime and community safety. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara  

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Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence and Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm was in Mackay this week, joining Member for Mackay Nigel Dalton and Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson to announce new measures aimed at strengthening community safety and support services across the region.

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The visit highlighted two key areas of focus for the Queensland Government – youth crime reform and additional support for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence.

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Ms Camm said the expansion of the “adult crime, adult time” legislation, including the proposed “breach of bail, go to jail” reform, had been welcomed by regional communities.

“I know, certainly, in my community, out here in the Northern Beaches, it’s something that has been welcomed by community members, particularly with serious, repeat youth offenders,” Ms Camm said.

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Ms Camm also welcomed more than $50 million in Queensland Government investment over four years to bolster frontline domestic and family violence services, expand access to specialist mental health support and strengthen the workforce assisting those escaping violence.

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The funding includes $40 million to continue embedding domestic and family violence practitioners in 49 police stations across Queensland, providing immediate trauma-informed support for victim-survivors when incidents are reported.

The program provides assistance including counselling, safety planning, advocacy through police processes, financial support and emergency relief to help victim-survivors navigate the justice system.

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A further $10 million will support the placement of 26 specialist mental health professionals across 20 Women’s Health and Wellbeing Services throughout Queensland, providing access to mental health care in trusted community settings.

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Mayor Greg Williamson welcomed the investment, saying support embedded within frontline services was vital.

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“Domestic and family violence as we know, is a scourge on our modern society,” Mayor Williamson said.

“The highest callout in all of our police stations in the Mackay area is domestic and family violence.”

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“To have funding now, through to 2030, that embeds a particular person from the Salvation Army in police stations to assist with that callout management, is absolutely sensational. That's what we need.”

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Member for Mackay Nigel Dalton said the Queensland Government “is backing the frontline with long term funding that helps put victims first and hold perpetrators to account.”

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“We're now announcing, that by Christmas, if you breach your bail with another alleged offence, you will go to jail. And that is what our community wants.”

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Salvation Army Family Violence State Manager Liz Carney said the funding would provide an important support pathway for people experiencing family and domestic violence.

“These Embedded Practitioner roles provide a critical lifeline for victim-survivors, ensuring they can access immediate support, specialist guidance, and pathways to safety during times of crisis,” she said.

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“Too many women arrive at our door already carrying more than anyone should have to, and our current services stop short of mental health support, with external referrals resulting in another waitlist, more travel, and revisiting their trauma again.”

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Whitsunday Counselling & Support Inc. CEO Kirsty Gillett noted that the investment would allow regional services to provide “wrap-around care.”

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“This investment recognises how deeply mental health and domestic violence are linked, and it finally gives services outside the major centres the resources to deliver genuine wrap-around care,” she said.

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