- Budget delivers the foundations for a fresh start with $50 million in funding for four new or expanded Crime Prevention Schools to re-engage at-risk youth and prevent the next generation of youth offenders.
- Gold Coast based Men of Business to be the first school to operate program, expanding their existing academy to grades 7-12.
- Schools are one of several critical early intervention measures to prevent crime before it happens, providing education, mentoring, and life skills to put youth back on the right track and away from a life of crime.
The Crisafulli Government is restoring safety where you live with four new or expanded Crime Prevention Schools to re-engage at-risk youth, preventing the next generation falling into crime, and start to turn the tide on Labor's Youth Crime Crisis.
The 2025-26 Budget will fund $50 million over five years towards four Crime Prevention Schools.
Reoffending rates skyrocketed under the former Labor Government and these schools will help divert young people from crime and re-engage them with community and education under the Special Assistance School model.
The schools will be based on the Gold Coast, Townsville, Rockhampton, and Ipswich.
Gold Coast based Men of Business will be the first Crime Prevention School, with $10 million in funding to go towards expanding their existing academy to grades 7 to 12.
The Crisafulli Government will be calling for tenders to operate the Townsville, Rockhampton, and Ipswich schools later this year.
Premier David Crisafulli said the Crime Prevention Schools funding were just one way the Government would start to turn the tide on youth crime.
"The Crisafulli Government is delivering early intervention to prevent crime before it happens and restore safety where you live," Premier Crisafulli said.
"Men of Business has a proven track record of delivering hope and support to young people who need it most.
"This funding will allow them to expand their reach and help even more students get back on track."
Minister for Youth Justice and Victim Support Laura Gerber said the Crime Prevention Schools were part of the Making Our Community Safer Plan and would prevent the next generation of youth offenders.
"We know one of the best ways to reduce crime, is to intervene early before young people go down a life of crime," Minister Gerber said.
"These schools will provide at-risk youth who have disengaged from mainstream education, the life skills, training and support needed to turn towards a brighter future.
"After a decade of rising numbers of youth offenders, the Crisafulli Government is investing in programs that break the cycle of crime and reduce the number of victims in this State."
Marco Renai, founder of the Men of Business Academy, said the new funding would allow the Academy to expand and help more young men grow into capable individuals, ready to contribute to their communities.
"Our mission has always been to guide young men towards a path of purpose and success," Mr Renai said.
"With this new funding, we can expand our programs to reach students at an even earlier age, providing them with the tools, mentorship, and support they need to build strong foundations for the future.
"Early intervention changes lives - with the right tools and support, we can help them step confidently into a brighter future."
