The red dust of Mount Isa carries stories. In every particle that rises with the morning wind, there are memories of connection, rupture, and the profound work of mending.

Queensland’s Staying on Track and Regional Reset programs represent a $225 million investment in youth justice rehabilitation and early intervention. While these initiatives have the potential to reduce youth reoffending and support at-risk youth, their success depends on who receives the funding. If large organizations dominate the grants, a significant portion could be absorbed by administrative costs and bureaucracy, rather than directly reaching young people and community-based solutions.

This blog explores how community-led approaches and Indigenous-led solutions provide more effective and long-lasting alternatives to the punitive measures currently driving youth justice policy.