Queensland’s newest First Nations Community Protective Services Officers (PSOs) have joined the Queensland Police Service (QPS), marking an important step in empowering First Nations communities to protect and strengthen their own.

The officers completed an intensive five-week residential training program at the Townsville Police Academy, graduating with the skills and knowledge to serve their communities with confidence and dedication. The PSOs will return to their communities including Palm Island (1), Bamaga in the Northern Peninsular Area (4), and Woorabinda (3), where they will work alongside local police to enhance the safety of First Nations peoples.

At the core of the QPS’s Protective Services Group is the belief in providing security by community, for community. Through this unique approach, these officers play an integral role in ensuring that safety solutions are rooted in cultural understanding and local expertise.

The pilot program launched on Palm Island in 2020 and has trained 57 recruits across five First Nations communities.

A special welcome was extended to the eight newly trained First Nations Community PSOs by QPS Assistant Commissioner Charysse Pond. Assistant Commissioner Pond highlighted the importance of cultural understanding and community connections in establishing stronger relationships between the QPS and First Nations communities.

“Queensland Police PSOs are not just part of a broader policing strategy – they are trusted members of their own communities, deeply connected to the culture and values that define them,” Assistant Commissioner Pond said.

“PSOs also play a critical role on the frontline, contributing to the security of state government buildings and assisting with emergency response efforts.

“Their training in intelligence, incident management, and emergency response is vital for ensuring public safety across Queensland,” Assistant Commissioner Pond said.

The QPS is committed to continuing the collaboration with Aboriginal Shire Councils, ensuring that our training and programs remain culturally appropriate, adaptable, and responsive to the unique needs of our First Nations communities.

A career within the Queensland Police Service is like no other. From protecting, responding, and investigating, to supporting, rescuing and learning – the sheer variety of roles make it both a challenging and rewarding career.

As a police officer, you can have one career that has endless possibilities. Now really is the best time to join. Visit PoliceRecruit.qld.gov.au to kickstart your policing career and make a positive impact in your community.

The Queensland Government has suggested the former Labor Government’s mismanagement of the Health Budget in a cocoon of chaos and crisis has been exposed during a regional hospital tour by the new Health Minister.

It has been revealed that the true cost of Labor’s hospital expansion program was north of $16 billion instead of the $9.785 billion they claimed.

Continuing his regional tour in Cairns this morning to meet with front-line workers, Health Minister Tim Nicholls called on the former Labor Government to front-up and explain why they hid the true costs of the hospital projects.

Labor failed to account for the complexity and needs of the Cairns community, which means they could not deliver a hospital refurbishment and new surgical centre on time or on budget.

Minister Nicholls said all Queenslanders have a right to expect excellence in healthcare services no matter where they live.

“What is becoming abundantly clear is that the announcements made by the previous Labor Government were like a house of cards that quickly came tumbling down,” Minister Nicholls said.

“Labor were masters of subterfuge, announcing hospital projects but conveniently forgetting to include critical elements required for patient care.

“The Crisafulli Government will save these projects from Labor’s mismanagement by ending the sweetheart deal with its CFMEU paymasters that drove up costs and delayed vital upgrades across the Queensland hospital expansion program.

“Upgrading our hospital is crucial and that’s why I’m here today to talk to doctors, nurses and healthcare practitioners about what they need to be able to do their job properly.

“Let me be clear – the Crisafulli Government will deliver the hospital expansion program as promised, with final budgets and timelines to be determined during negotiations for construction.

“Our focus is ensuring taxpayers’ money is spent wisely and delivers better facilities for patients,” Minister Nicholls said.