Queensland government admits children in state care slept in offices due to system strain
Consensus Summary
Queensland’s government has acknowledged that vulnerable children in state care have slept in public service offices, including at Toowoomba and Ipswich West centres in May and June 2026, due to a lack of alternative placements. Premier David Crisafulli confirmed the practice occurred under both Labor and LNP administrations, citing rare incidents as far back as 2019, while the Together union described it as a growing problem. The state has the highest number of children in out-of-home care in Australia, with 12,500 children affected, and the government claims no such cases have occurred since a Commission of Inquiry concluded in May 2026. Critics, including opposition leader Steven Miles, argue the government’s recent reforms—such as removing children under five from residential care—have worsened the crisis, while the government insists it is addressing systemic issues with increased funding. Both sources agree the practice is inappropriate and harmful to children, though they differ on whether it is worsening or remains an isolated issue.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Queensland Premier David Crisafulli confirmed children in state care have slept in government offices, including in 2019 (three children on the bayside in January 2019, three in Mackay in October 2019) and 2023 (two children at Mount Gravatt in December 2023).
- The Together union reported children slept overnight on air mattresses at the Toowoomba and Ipswich West child safety service centres in May and June 2026.
- Queensland has 12,500 children in out-of-home care, the largest number in the country.
- The practice of housing children in public service offices has been used since 2019 in emergencies when no short-term placement was available.
- Child Safety Minister Amanda Camm denied the practice occurred since the conclusion of the Commission of Inquiry in May 2026.
- The government has stopped housing children under five in hotel accommodation since the Commission of Inquiry concluded.
- The Together union raised concerns about children sleeping in offices with the state government on 10 June 2026.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Premier Crisafulli described the practice as a 'rare occurrence' and cited three specific incidents dating back to 2019 and 2023, emphasizing it was not limited to his administration.
- Opposition leader Steven Miles accused the government of 'playing politics' and criticized the rushed commitment to remove children under five from residential care without a clear plan.
- Crisafulli stated 'there is more money going into child safety than ever in the history of this state' and claimed no instances of children sleeping in offices occurred after the Commission of Inquiry.
- The ABC reported the union described the practice as a 'relatively new phenomenon' and confirmed recent incidents in the South West region in May and June 2026.
- The Guardian reported the Courier Mail initially revealed children were removed from homes without alternative placements organized, and children slept on mattresses in government offices.
- Shadow Treasurer Shannon Fentiman called for an investigation into whether the Department of Child Safety breached its duty of care.
- Youth Advocacy Centre CEO Katherine Hayes stated children sleeping in offices is 'completely inappropriate' and 'traumatising and damaging' for vulnerable children.
- The Guardian noted the government must respond to 52 recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry within two months.
- The Guardian reported the government cancelled contracts with two unlicensed residential care providers with two weeks' notice, many of which were due to expire on 30 June 2026.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian reports the practice of children sleeping in offices has increased under the current LNP government, while the ABC frames it as a long-standing issue dating back to 2019 under both Labor and LNP administrations.
- The Guardian states the Together union described the practice as 'getting more common,' while the ABC describes it as a 'relatively new phenomenon.'
- The Guardian implies the government's reforms (e.g., cancelling residential care contracts) may have contributed to the increase in office sleepovers, while the ABC suggests the practice is unrelated to recent policy changes and occurred before the Commission of Inquiry.
- The Guardian reports the government has not fronted media conferences since 17 June, while the ABC does not mention this gap in communication.
Source Articles
Queensland government admits vulnerable children slept on floor of public service offices
LNP denies claims that recent changes to child safety practices have led to an increase in the use of office space Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast The Queensland government has rejected claims its policies have further strained an under-pressure child protection system, after revelations that vulnerable children were made to sleep on the floor of public service offices. The premier, David Crisafulli, confirmed on
Crisafulli confirms children in state care have slept in government offices
David Crisafulli was briefed after the Together Union acknowledged over the weekend it was aware of reports of children sleeping in child safety offices.