In Queensland, Australia, the government is considering a significant investment of $50 million to construct a secure care facility aimed at assisting young people in state care who face mental health challenges and may pose risks to themselves or others. Principal Family and Child Commissioner, Luke Twyford, has expressed his reservations regarding this secure care model and has brought these concerns to the attention of the Queensland Commission of Inquiry into Child Safety. The inquiry aims to evaluate various facets of child safety, including the proposed secure care facility, which is scheduled to open by 2028.

The proposed facility is part of the Crisafulli government's initiative to address the needs of vulnerable youth, with an initial commitment of $10 million to kickstart the project in the 2025-26 financial year. However, the absence of a designated location for this facility raises questions about its implementation and accessibility. Critics, including Twyford, are scrutinizing the effectiveness and suitability of the secure care model within the existing child safety system, reflecting broader concerns about how best to support at-risk children.

As the inquiry continues in Toowoomba, stakeholders are left to ponder the implications of the secure care strategy on Queensland's approach to child welfare. The discussions surrounding this framework highlight a critical conversation about prioritizing mental health and safety for young individuals within state care, particularly in light of increasing awareness of the complexities surrounding child mental health and institutional support systems.