Camm, who resigned following months of pressure over her handling of state’s child safety system, cited Helen Haines attack as reason for departure
Queensland minister Amanda Camm has resigned from cabinet following months of pressure over the state government’s handling of the child safety system and efforts to prevent domestic and family violence.
Camm told reporters on Friday the decision to step down was “mine alone”.
She suggested that some criticism of her had gone beyond “public scrutiny and accountability” and cited the recent alleged attack on federal MP Helen Haines.
Over the past year she had experienced harassment, threats, bullying and vilification, she said.
Camm had recently taken six weeks of medical leave, including undergoing a surgical procedure. She said she had realised her recovery would be “ongoing” and that she would not be able to continue perform her ministerial duties, given the workload and “the ongoing stresses”.
“It would be unfair to the government for me to take further leave,” Camm said.
A replacement is expected to be announced later on Friday.
Before taking leave, Camm had been the government’s most under-pressure minister. Her relationship with Tim Mander, the sport and Olympics minister, had placed both under scrutiny in parliament and the press.
But it was her dual responsibilities – child safety and the prevention of family violence – that had heaped pressure on Camm over her job performance.
The government came under fire over claims of children in state care sleeping on the floor of government offices, which child protection workers linked to government policies including the cancelling of contracts to some residential care providers.
Camm also came under pressure over budget cuts to domestic and family violence prevention, and a lack of progress on reforms demanded by the former government’s women’s safety and justice taskforce.
Guardian Australia reported that Camm had buried the findings of a panel of domestic and family violence victim-survivors, which was highly critical of police. Her office told one member she was no longer welcome to contact them by phone.
Camm said the attack on Haines had “reinforced the importance of taking concerns about personal health, safety and wellbeing of people in public life very seriously”.
“Public scrutiny and accountability are central to democracy and to our institutions. Harassment, threats, bullying and personal vilification are not. And for the past year this has been my experience. There is much more work to be done.”
The premier, David Crisafulli, said he wanted to “support Amanda” and that she had not been removed over her performance.
It is understood that the government will not instigate a broader reshuffle but will appoint a new face to the ministry to replace Camm.
Among those considered in the frame for a promotion is former senator and Morrison government figure Amanda Stoker, who was elected to the state parliament in 2024.
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Source: www.theguardian.com
