Queensland Parliament Returns: Child Safety Scrutiny and Voting System Debate

Following the return of members after the mid-term break, Queensland’s Legislative Assembly held a vigorous question-time session. The opposition targeted newly reinstated minister Amanda Camm over the handling of child-safety data, while the governing Liberal National Party (LNP) used the same forum to challenge Labor leader Steven Miles. Independent MP Sandy Bolton also pressed Premier David Crisafulli on a proposed change to the state’s voting system before the 2028 election.

The Sydney Morning Herald

Opposition members asked Camm to confirm whether any child had died or been harmed because of departmental delays and specifically how many of the 91 children recorded in the child-safety system who died last year were awaiting assessment. Camm did not provide a direct answer, responding only that any loss of a child’s life “is a tragedy,” regardless of whether the child was known to the department or not.

The Sydney Morning Herald

During the same session, Premier Crisafulli reiterated his intention to revert Queensland to an optional preferential voting system before the 2028 state election. He argued that the system would have altered the outcome of the recent Stafford by-election, noting that the Liberal National primary vote there was “far higher than Labor” and that the current member, Luke Richmond, won only because of preferences from the Greens and the Socialists.

The Sydney Morning Herald

• Amanda Camm emphasized the universal tragedy of child deaths, avoiding specifics on departmental responsibility.

The Sydney Morning Herald

• Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie dismissed the opposition leader’s stance as “untenable” and accused the opposition front bench of “leaking against” the government.

The Sydney Morning Herald

• Premier David Crisafulli claimed the optional preferential system would have prevented the current Stafford result and would be “very, very safe” for the LNP in future elections.

The Sydney Morning Herald

• “The Leader of the Opposition’s position is untenable,” — Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie

The Sydney Morning Herald

• “The primary vote [there] on this side was far higher than Labor, and the only reason that the member of Stafford [Luke Richmond] sits there is because of preferences from the Greens and the Socialists,” — Premier David Crisafulli

The Sydney Morning Herald