Amanda Camm, Queensland's Minister for Families, Seniors and Disability Services and Minister for Child Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, resigned Friday but will keep her Whitsunday seat.
The Queensland Government said Camm told Premier David Crisafulli of her decision late Thursday. Her return to work followed a six-week medical absence tied to major surgery, but she said she was still recovering and needed to put her health first. “My recovery still has some way to go,” Camm wrote in her statement.
The Guardian reported that Camm cited the attack on federal lawmaker Helen Haines as a reason for leaving. ABC News separately reported that Camm said the incident underscored the importance of personal safety for people in public life.
Victoria Police said a 43-year-old man had been charged after a vehicle struck Haines in Wangaratta on Oct. 19. Police listed charges of “dangerous driving causing serious injury,” “intentionally cause serious injury” and “causing harm to a Commonwealth public official.” Police allege the incident was targeted.
Camm's departure follows months of scrutiny over child safety and domestic and family violence policy, ABC News and The Guardian reported. Queensland's Child Safety Commission of Inquiry delivered its final report to the government on May 22; the report contained 52 recommendations. In its July 30 response, the government said it accepted 32 in full and 16 in principle, marked two as noted and deferred two for further consideration.
Crisafulli thanked Camm for her service, saying she had taken on an “enormous task” amid a child safety system in crisis and a state's need for domestic violence reform. The government statement separately credited her work with putting Queensland on the road to repair. ABC News reported Crisafulli had not named a successor when it published; The Guardian said an appointment was expected later Friday.
