Queensland minister Amanda Camm quits cabinet citing health and safety

Amanda Camm, the Queensland minister responsible for child safety and the prevention of domestic and family violence, resigned from the Australian state's cabinet on Friday. The move follows months of pressure over how the government has handled the child safety system and efforts to curb domestic violence. The state premier is David Crisafulli.

Camm told reporters the decision was hers alone. She said some of the criticism directed at her had gone beyond public scrutiny and accountability, and pointed to the recent alleged attack on federal MP Helen Haines. Over the past year, she said, she had experienced harassment, threats, bullying and vilification.

She had recently taken six weeks of medical leave, including a surgical procedure. Camm said she had realised her recovery would be ongoing and that, given the workload and continuing stress, she could not keep performing her ministerial duties. Taking further leave, she said, would be unfair to the government.

Criticism of her record

Before going on leave, Camm was the government's most under-pressure minister. The government was criticised over claims that children in state care were sleeping on the floor of government offices, which child protection workers tied to policies including the cancellation of contracts with some residential care providers. She also faced pressure over budget cuts to domestic violence prevention and a lack of progress on reforms demanded by the previous government's women's safety and justice taskforce.

Guardian Australia reported that Camm had buried the findings of a panel of domestic violence victim-survivors that was highly critical of police. Her office reportedly told one panel member she was no longer welcome to contact them by phone.

Premier Crisafulli said he wanted to support Camm and that she had not been removed over her performance. The government is understood to be planning no broader reshuffle, instead appointing a new face to the ministry. Among those considered for promotion is former senator Amanda Stoker, who was elected to the state parliament in 2024. A replacement is expected to be announced later on Friday.