Queensland government admits vulnerable children slept on floor of public service offices

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 Monday that the approach had been used under his LNP government, but his government said it would typically be done only in the early morning, when other options weren’t available. “These kids otherwise might be on the street,” Crisafulli said. Crisafulli’s comments came after the Courier Mail reported over the weekend that children were removed from homes without alternative places being organised for them. The outlet reported children in state care were sleeping on mattresses in government offices, with the shadow treasurer, Shannon Fentiman, saying the department of child safety should be investigated over whether it breached its duty of care. It is unclear how often children have slept at child safety service centres and the child safety minister, Amanda Camm, did not answer a series of questions from Guardian Australia about the rates both before and after the October 2024 election, when the LNP government was elected. The Together union, which covers many workers in Queensland’s public sector, told media on Monday that the practice was getting more common. …