I rise to commend report No. 40 of the Justice, Integrity and Community Safety Committee on the 2026-27 budget estimates. I am pleased to support the committee’s recommendation that the proposed expenditure be agreed to without amendment. This committee had responsibility for scrutinising $9.063 billion in appropriations across justice and integrity, police and emergency services, youth justice and victim support, and corrective services. The committee conducted nine hours of public hearings across the three ministerial portfolios, considered the budget papers, received answers to prehearing questions on notice, and examined the evidence given by ministers, departmental heads and independent statutory officers.
In justice, the budget includes $39.3 million over four years for judges, judicial support and essential justice services; $37.1 million for a modernised Forensic Science Queensland; $22.1 million to improve court technology; $1 million for additional Supreme and District Court judges; and $10.6 million to strengthen prosecution services. It also includes more than $250 million over four years to implement the In plain sight child protection reforms and establish a Queensland Protection Commission. This is a clear investment in a faster, more modern and more responsive justice system.
For the Queensland Police Service, the appropriation increases to more than $4.06 billion, representing a significant investment in frontline capability. The QPS workforce budget increases by 217 full-time equivalents to 20,008, ensuring more officers on the ground, while the capital program delivers more than $303 million in investment in police facilities, vehicles, vessels, technology and essential equipment. That includes $96 million towards the next stage of the Kirwan police complex, $23 million for recruitment and retention initiatives, and investment in cutting-edge drone and surveillance capability.
Youth justice expenditure is increasing by $135.1 million, 20 per cent over the previous year’s
estimated actual expenditure, with an additional 214 FTE supporting frontline services. There is
$235.4 million this year for the continued construction of the Woodford Youth Detention Centre and a further $166.5 million over four years to meet demand across the youth justice system. For corrective services there is $363.9 million in capital investment, including expanded correctional capacity, alongside $382.8 million over five years to ensure correctional centres are properly staffed, resourced and secure. The government is progressing 800 additional beds at Townsville and Arthur Gorrie and a further 600 beds across the system.
These investments across three ministerial portfolios are proof that the Crisafulli government is
willing to put our money where our mouth is and properly fund the people and programs that are needed to make Queensland safer. More judges and stronger prosecutions means faster justice for victims. More police and better equipment means stronger front lines. More youth justice capacity, intervention and rehabilitation means fewer repeat offenders in our communities. More correctional capacity and stronger security means dangerous offenders stay where they belong.
As with any government that is getting on with the job of delivering for Queenslanders, we have an opposition determined to talk down that work. Labor’s statement of reservation is heavy on accusation and light on acknowledgment of what the report records: increased investment in police; expanded youth justice capacity; hundreds of millions of dollars for correctional infrastructure; and substantial new investment across our justice system. Their criticism is emblematic of an opposition with a lack of policy direction. They still do not know whether they are going to support tougher laws or whether they need to appease the far left within their own caucus. They can reach for slogans but they cannot wish away the numbers. This report demonstrates that the Crisafulli government is investing in safer communities, stronger front lines, faster justice and fewer victims. I thank the ministers, departmental officers, committee members and secretariat staff who contributed to the estimates process. I commend the report to the House.