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Providers for three Queensland government early intervention programs will now be handpicked by the department after an earlier search was torn up months into the open tender process.
This masthead can reveal the Department of Youth Justice and Victim Support is now undertaking “direct market engagement” to find providers for three new so-called crime prevention schools.
The development comes after this masthead first reported news of the procurement halt last month, and alongside new confirmation from the government that its sole selected provider so far was involved.
Before the 2024 state election, the Crisafulli LNP vowed to set up four new or expanded schools in Ipswich, Rockhampton, Townsville and on the Gold Coast under its “making Queensland safer plan”.
The sites were pitched for those in years 7 to 12 who were disengaged from mainstream education, had needs unable to be met by conventional schooling, and deemed at risk of police contact.
Men of Business, which already operated a year 11 and 12 trade-focused school in Southport, was named at the time as the proposed Gold Coast provider, funded to expand into years 7, 8, 9 and 10.
Last year’s budget allocated $10 million to the single-sex school to help expand its site, as part of a total $50 million program cost. Expressions of interest for the other three sites opened in August.
But last month, the entire process was put to a stop. In an internal email obtained by this masthead, the department cited a decision the election promise was unable to be delivered on time and budget.
A new procurement strategy was said to be in the works, but was not outlined. Minister Laura Gerber said the schools would be delivered “harnessing the success” of Men of Business.
Asked for an update on the strategy and whether this would involve a new open tender process, a departmental spokesperson told this masthead “direct market engagement is currently occurring”.
“The department is unable to comment further due to confidentiality and probity requirements,” they said. “The three additional crime prevention schools are on track to start taking enrolments in 2026, with classes commencing in the 2027 school year.”
Gerber said only that the schools would “help turn the tide on Labor’s youth crime crisis and are on track to start taking enrolments later this year, just like we promised”.
This masthead has also previously reported that Men of Business was involved in selection panels for procurement of other school providers, according to a source with knowledge of the matter.
In response to a parliamentary question on notice tabled this week, Gerber confirmed a representative of the organisation was engaged by the department during the procurement.
“The department engaged a representative from Men of Business as a subject-matter expert due to their extensive experience working with disengaged young people, to ensure the other new schools deliver the best outcomes for Queenslanders,” she said.
In a statement, Labor’s youth justice spokesperson Di Farmer said: “When will the LNP deliver on their promises, when will Queenslanders feel safer and when will the minister tell the truth about what’s going on behind closed doors?”
Men of Business has repeatedly failed to respond to attempts by this masthead to seek comment. It opened its doors to its first year 7 cohort last month, in addition to existing year 11 and 12 groups.
Further expansion is proposed to take place with one additional cohort each year, finishing with year 10 at the start of the 2029 school year.
Since the election, the organisation has hired the son-in-law of government MP Ray Stevens, Cliff Powys, as head of academy. This masthead does not suggest any wrongdoing by Powys, Stevens or Men of Business.
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