- The Crisafulli Government is delivering a new early intervention program for Cairns to restore safety where you live.
- Program provides accredited automotive training and mentoring to divert at-risk youth away from crime and towards a job.
- The Crisafulli Government has delivered 53 new Kickstarter early intervention programs to stop crime before it starts and make Queensland safer.
- The Crisafulli Government's stronger laws, more police, early intervention and rehabilitation is starting to turn the tide on Labor's Youth Crime Crisis, delivering a 7.2 per cent drop in the number of victims of crime in 2025.
The Crisafulli Government is breaking the cycle of crime and restoring safety where you live with a new Kickstarter early intervention program for Cairns.
It is just one way the Crisafulli Government is making Queensland safer after crime skyrocketed during Labor's decade of decline.
Fresh Start Academy's Automotive program will support at-risk youth in Cairns (aged 15-17) with mentoring and hands-on mechanic training to re-engage them with education, training or a job and divert them from crime.
The program teaches youth practical skills and gives back to their community by offering low-cost automotive repairs and servicing to support families in need.
The Crisafulli Government promised to invest in early intervention, with 53 new Kickstarter programs already delivered across Queensland, after a decade of underinvestment by the former Labor Government.
Labor's weak laws, fewer police and failure to invest in effective early intervention created a generation of serious repeat youth offenders and Labor's Youth Crime Crisis.
The Crisafulli Government is restoring safety where you live with stronger laws, more police, and the biggest investment in rehabilitation and early intervention in Queensland's history, unlike Labor who plan to raise the age of criminal responsibility and wind back Adult Crime, Adult Time.
Minister for Youth Justice and Victim Support Laura Gerber said early intervention was critical to breaking the cycle of crime in Cairns after a decade of Labor's weak laws.
"The Crisafulli Government promised Queenslanders we would invest in programs to stop crime before it starts and restore safety to communities and that's exactly what we're doing," Minister Gerber said.
"We're investing a record amount in early intervention and rehabilitation to fight Labor's Youth Crime Crisis and reduce the number of victims of crime.
"We've delivered 53 new Kickstarter early intervention programs right across the state to fight Labor's Youth Crime Crisis, and we've got more to come."
Member for Barron River Bree James said early intervention was crucial to breaking the cycle of crime and restoring safety to the region.
"Addressing the early signs of disengagement, anti-social or criminal behaviour before youth become serious repeat offenders is critical to breaking the cycle of crime," Ms James said.
Member for Mulgrave Terry James said the Kickstarter funding followed a decade of underinvestment by the former Labor Government.
"The Crisafulli Government is investing a record $560 million in new early intervention and rehabilitation programs for youth offenders, to help steer young people away from crime and restore safety to communities," Mr James said.
Fresh Start Academy program coordinator Traye Hodge said the program was focused on giving at-risk youth the chance to change their lives while creating positive change for the community.
"This funding allows us to engage young people who are disconnected from education and give them practical skills, structure, and a clear pathway into employment," Mr Hodge said.
"We're seeing firsthand how hands-on learning in a real workshop environment builds confidence, accountability, and purpose."
