BRISBANE, Queensland, Oct. 8 -- The Queensland Department of the Premier and Cabinet issued text of the following statement:

Minister for Youth Justice and Victim Support and Minister for Corrective Services

The Honourable Laura Gerber

* The Crisafulli Government is delivering a funding boost to deliver more new early intervention programs, with the third round of Kickstarter grants now open. * The $50 millionKickstarter grants program supports at-risk youth showing early signs of criminal behaviour, with education, life skills and support to divert them from a life of crime.   * 63 newKickstarter early intervention programs have already been delivered by the Crisafulli Government across Queensland to stop crime before it starts after the former Government's weak laws created Labor's Youth Crime Crisis. * The program is part of theCrisafulli Government's $115 million investment to deliver effective early intervention to restore safety where you live after a decade of decline under Labor.

The Crisafulli Government is delivering on a key election commitment to fund new early intervention programs to break the cycle of crime, with the third round of $50 million Kickstarter grants now open. 

The former Labor Government failed to properly invest in effective early intervention and rehabilitation programs, which created a generation of serious repeat youth offenders.  

Grants of up to $300,000 will be awarded to new Gold Standard Early Intervention programs to provide at-risk youth aged 8-17 years showing early signs of criminal behaviour, with the education, life skills and support to divert them from a life of crime.  

Each program will be regionally focused and tailored to meet the needs of local communities across Queensland.  

Unlike Labor who plan to raise the age of criminal responsibility and wind back Adult Crime, Adult Time, every decision the Crisafulli Government makes is about delivering stronger laws and new programs that reduce crime. 

Labor's weak laws, fewerpoliceand failure to invest in effective early intervention created a generation of serious repeat youthoffendersandayouthcrimecrisisthat saw victim numbers rise 193 per cent.

Minister for Youth Justice and Victim Support Laura Gerber said investing in early intervention was crucial to breaking the cycle of crime.  

"One of the best ways to turn the tide on Labor's Youth Crime Crisis is to intervene early, before young people become entrenched in a life of crime and that's exactly what these programs will do," Minister Gerber said.

"Kickstarter is all about addressing the early signs of disengagement, anti-social or criminal behaviour to break the cycle of crime and prevent the next generation from becoming serious repeat youth offenders.

"We've already delivered 63 new Kickstarter early intervention programs right across the state to fight Labor's Youth Crime Crisis, and we've got more to come.

"After a decade of decline under Labor, the Crisafulli Government is investing in new programs that stop crime before it starts and help reduce the number of victims across the State."

Non-government organisations, including organisations currently or previously delivering youth justice programs, are encouraged to consider new or expanded initiatives and apply for a one-off grant.

For more information on the Kickstarter grants, including eligibility criteria and how to apply, visit https://yj.smartygrants.com.au/KickstarterRd3

ENDS

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Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.