A young boy in state care describes sleeping on streets as preferable to residential facilities where he felt unloved. Queensland's Child Safety Minister confirms children stayed in government buildings amid growing criticism of a flawed system.
A young boy, whose identity is protected, has revealed harrowing details about his experiences within the child safety system, describing a period of sleeping on the streets while under state care.
He told 7NEWS that rough sleeping was preferable to residential care because he did not feel loved or shown affection in the facilities. He recounted sleeping on the floor without blankets in cold conditions and expressed a profound desire to return to living with his parents. His account paints a disturbing picture of systemic failure as the state grapples with the handling of vulnerable children.
Queensland's Child Safety Minister, Amanda Camm, has publicly confirmed that children have indeed been accommodated in government buildings. Under mounting pressure, she stated that this occurred on three occasions involving two 17-year-olds and a 16-year-old. The minister described these as emergent situations and insisted the children slept on brand new, clean air mattresses, not floors. This marks the first time Minister Camm has been seen since the revelations emerged, having been absent for several days due to migraine treatment.
The Premier, David Crisafulli, also acknowledged instances of children staying in government offices. A frontline youth care provider has raised serious alarms about the government's management of vulnerable children. They highlight widespread uncertainty among young people in residential care, particularly First Nations children, regarding their future community and home. An insider accused the government of implementing a blanket approach in recent weeks, driving many children to desperate acts like couch surfing.
These concerns point to deeper, ongoing flaws in the child safety system that extend beyond the isolated incidents confirmed by the minister
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