Former Federal Court judge Paul Anastassiou KC will lead a sweeping 17-month commission of inquiry into Queensland’s child safety system, which the state government says is failing vulnerable children despite a $1.12 billion annual cost.
Announced on Sunday, the inquiry follows troubling revelations of sexual exploitation in residential care and unsupported foster carers.
Premier David Crisafulli said the probe was essential to reform a system affecting 12,500 children in care. “There is no coincidence that we have a broken child safety system and a youth crime crisis in this state,” he said.
Anastassiou was deliberately chosen for his experience outside Queensland. His appointment comes amid growing concerns over the reliance on for-profit residential care providers, some of which received tens of millions in state funding while delivering substandard care.
Child Safety Minister Amanda Camm cited alarming findings that justified a full, independent investigation, saying, “This is about a generation of children that… has been failed by a broken child safety system.”
The announcement coincided with the 2024 Children in Care Census, which revealed:
- 40% of children have a diagnosed or suspected mental illness
- 44% have self-harmed
- 22% have attempted suicide
One notable case revealed $4.5 million had been spent on a single child in residential care through the Individual Placement Support (IPS) model, compared to just $35,000 spent on their foster care.
Camm said the former Labor government overused the IPS model, initially intended as a temporary solution. She promised stronger oversight, stating that some for-profit providers were now “formally on notice.”
The inquiry will also investigate how permits were granted to operate such services and the role of state departments in managing public funds.
While Labor has pledged to cooperate, Shadow Treasurer Shannon Fentiman criticised the terms of reference for not addressing why so many children are entering care, citing COVID-era surges and a lack of early intervention.
PeakCare CEO Tom Allsop and Queensland Family and Child Commission CEO Luke Twyford both welcomed the inquiry, urging bold reform and greater focus on prevention and early support.
“This review process should be the time for a bold rethink… and how we use public money to deliver lifelong change,” Twyford said.
Source: ABC.
