Concerns over the social media conduct of a taxpayer‑funded youth rehabilitation provider have surfaced in Queensland parliament, after allegations that a publicly funded contractor followed multiple adult‑content creators online.
During budget estimates, Labor’s Youth Justice spokeswoman Di Farmer questioned whether the Yabun Panjoo Aboriginal Corporation one of nine providers delivering the Crisafulli government’s $50 million regional reset program was adhering to appropriate standards. Farmer said the organisation’s Facebook page followed only twelve accounts, “about 70 per cent of them adult content creators, including OnlyFans creators.” She asked whether it was appropriate for a contractor working with troubled young people to follow profiles promoting adult content, before later withdrawing the question.
Yabun Panjoo is funded to run a 12‑month intensive rehabilitation program for at‑risk youth some as young as eight in Townsville and Mount Isa. The corporation received $1.43 million last year for each service location, under a four‑year contract.
Youth Justice Minister Laura Gerber defended the program, saying providers were delivering early intervention services aimed at steering young people away from crime. “They’re there to be able to deliver a reset to youth that otherwise would be following down a life of crime,” she said.
The Department of Youth Justice’s director‑general Michael Drane confirmed that all suppliers must comply with the department’s social media code of conduct. The director of Yabun Panjoo, David Boye, has been contacted for comment.
The issue highlights growing scrutiny over governance, accountability and online behaviour among organisations funded to work with vulnerable young people.
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