Queensland minister Amanda Camm resigns from child safety role citing threats
Queensland minister Amanda Camm has resigned from her domestic and family violence and child safety portfolio, citing health concerns and threats and harassment she says she has faced. She linked her decision to the alleged attack on federal MP Helen Haines, while Premier David Crisafulli said Camm chose to step down and described the child safety system she inherited as broken.
Camm had faced months of scrutiny over child safety failures, including a nearly 60 per cent rise in deaths among children known to authorities, children in state care sleeping in government offices and problems with a $183 million IT system. Services for domestic and family violence were also cut by $38.5 million in the state budget. Camm will remain the MP for Whitsunday but has not said whether she will contest the next election, due by October 2028.
In short
- Amanda Camm has left her Queensland ministerial role.
- She cited health concerns and threats and harassment.
- Her portfolio faced sustained scrutiny over child safety failures.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Camm’s supporters could argue that threats and harassment, alongside health concerns, are legitimate reasons to leave a demanding ministerial role, and that linking her decision to an alleged attack on another MP highlights the pressures elected representatives can face. They might also stress that she inherited a deeply troubled child safety system, where longstanding problems cannot fairly be attributed to one minister alone.
The case against
Critics could argue that the serious failures on Camm’s watch, including rising deaths among children known to authorities, children in care sleeping in offices and problems with the costly IT system, warrant close scrutiny of her leadership. They may also question whether her departure adequately addresses accountability, particularly given reported cuts to domestic violence services, while recognising that threats or harassment should not be accepted.
Explained simply
Queensland is a state in north-eastern Australia. Its government is led by Premier David Crisafulli, and Amanda Camm is the MP for Whitsunday. Before stepping down from her ministerial role, she was responsible for child safety and domestic and family violence services.
Child safety authorities work with children judged to be at risk and oversee support or state care when needed. The portfolio has faced scrutiny over deaths among children known to authorities, the treatment of children in care and problems with a new computer system. Domestic and family violence services are also part of the same area of government responsibility.
These issues matter because decisions about funding, support and state care can affect the safety and wellbeing of children and families. Camm remains an elected MP, while the state election must be held by October 2028.
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by Daily Mail as “Embattled minister for domestic and family violence quits after alleged attack on MP Helen Haines”.