The Honourable Di Farmer MP will remain as Minister for Child Safety, Youth, Women, and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, and also become Minister for Youth Justice. Mr Michael Hogan will continue as Director-General of the Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women.
Mr Gee will be commencing his new role on Monday 20th May 2019. Mr Gee is currently the Deputy Commissioner, Regional Operations in the Queensland Police Service. He is also the Queensland State Disaster Coordinator, a board member of the Qld Reconstruction Authority and the Queensland Police Service’s ‘Indigenous Champion’.
In announcing the establishment of the new department, Premier Palaszczuk said, “No government had committed more to tackling the issue spending a record $550 million including the building and expansion of youth detention centres and 18 programs to rehabilitate youth offenders and stop them committing crimes in the first place.
“I want one person with one job to co-ordinate and see these programs delivered and Bob Gee is the perfect person to get the job done.”
PeakCare has a long-standing interest in advocating for improved understanding and management of the intersection between child protection and youth justice. Our sincere appreciation is extended to Mr Michael Hogan for the courtesy and respect he has shown to PeakCare during our engagement with him about these matters throughout his stewardship of both the child protection and youth justice program areas. We congratulate Mr Gee on his appointment to his new role and look forward to establishing a similar working relationship with him.
Taking into account PeakCare’s views about the importance of appreciating the intersection between child protection and youth justice, we are pleased that the two program areas are remaining within the same Ministerial portfolio.
For more information about the progress of Queensland’s youth justice reforms including in particular, the extreme challenges needing to be dealt with concerning the detention of Queensland children in watchhouses, make sure you read today’s edition of our eNews that will soon be released.