The short version
- Minister Amanda Camm resigned from the Queensland cabinet, attributing her departure to ongoing harassment, threats, and health concerns rather than performance issues alone.
- The government faces mounting criticism over child welfare failures, including reports of children sleeping on office floors, and stalled reforms in domestic violence prevention.
- Premier David Crisafulli confirmed Camm was not removed for poor performance and indicated a replacement would be named without a broader cabinet reshuffle.
Amanda Camm has resigned from the Queensland state cabinet, ending her tenure as a key minister responsible for child safety and domestic violence prevention. The departure follows months of intense scrutiny regarding the government’s handling of these critical social services. Camm announced her decision on Friday, stating that the choice to step down was hers alone. She emphasized that her recovery from recent health issues would be an ongoing process, making it impossible for her to continue fulfilling the demanding workload associated with her ministerial duties.
Camm cited personal safety and wellbeing as primary factors in her resignation. She pointed to a pattern of harassment, threats, bullying, and vilification she has endured over the past year. The recent alleged attack on federal Member of Parliament Helen Haines served as a catalyst for Camm’s decision, reinforcing her view that concerns about the safety of public officials must be taken seriously. She distinguished between legitimate public scrutiny, which she described as central to democracy, and the personal attacks she has faced, which she characterized as unacceptable.
Prior to her resignation, Camm had taken six weeks of medical leave, during which she underwent a surgical procedure. She noted that taking further leave would be unfair to the government given the pressing nature of her portfolio. The premier, David Crisafulli, publicly supported Camm’s decision and clarified that she was not being removed due to performance failures. Instead, the administration aims to appoint a new face to the ministry to address the current challenges without initiating a broader cabinet reshuffle.
The political environment surrounding Camm’s departure has been fraught with controversy. Her dual responsibilities placed her at the center of significant pressure from both parliament and the press. One area of intense focus was the state’s child protection system, which faced severe criticism after reports emerged that children in state care were sleeping on the floors of government offices. Child protection workers linked these conditions to specific government policies, including the cancellation of contracts with certain residential care providers.
In addition to child welfare issues, Camm faced backlash over budget cuts to domestic and family violence prevention programs. Critics highlighted a lack of progress on reforms that had been demanded by a previous government’s women’s safety and justice taskforce. Reports indicated that Camm’s office had suppressed findings from a panel of victim-survivors who were highly critical of police responses to domestic violence. One member of the panel alleged that Camm’s staff told her she was no longer welcome to contact them by phone, suggesting a dismissive attitude toward stakeholder feedback.
Camm’s relationship with Tim Mander, the minister for sport and Olympics, had also drawn attention, placing both officials under scrutiny. However, it was her specific portfolio responsibilities that generated the most sustained pressure. The combination of policy failures and personal attacks created a untenable situation for Camm, who felt she could no longer perform her duties effectively. Her resignation marks a significant moment in Queensland politics, highlighting the challenges faced by public officials dealing with high-stakes social issues.
The government is expected to announce a replacement for Camm later on Friday. Among those considered for the promotion is Amanda Stoker, a former senator and figure from the Morrison government who was elected to the state parliament in 2024. The appointment of a new minister will be closely watched as stakeholders seek assurance that the issues plaguing the child safety and domestic violence sectors will receive adequate attention and reform.
Camm’s departure underscores the broader difficulties facing the Crisafulli government in managing public expectations and policy outcomes. While the premier has sought to frame the resignation as a matter of personal health and safety, the underlying policy controversies remain unresolved. The coming weeks will likely see increased focus on how the new minister plans to address the systemic issues that have drawn such intense criticism, particularly regarding the treatment of vulnerable children and victims of family violence.
The situation also raises questions about the support structures available to politicians facing harassment and threats. Camm’s reference to the attack on Helen Haines suggests a growing awareness of the risks associated with public office in the current political climate. As Queensland navigates this transition, the government must balance the need for accountability with the imperative to protect the wellbeing of its elected representatives.
Ultimately, Camm’s resignation leaves a void in leadership at a critical time for Queensland’s social services sector. The new minister will inherit a complex set of challenges, including restoring trust with child protection workers, addressing budgetary constraints, and implementing long-overdue reforms. The outcome of this transition will have lasting implications for the state’s approach to child safety and domestic violence prevention.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian World↗Embattled Queensland minister Amanda Camm quits Crisafulli frontbench citing health and safety reasons
