Queensland’s Child Safety Minister has described the alleged rape of a girl in state residential care as 'heinous' and defended the government’s reform agenda, saying it is streamlining efforts to protect vulnerable children from abuse and exploitation.

The minister’s comments come after the revelation of the alleged assault, which has reignited public scrutiny of Queensland’s child protection system. In a brief statement, the minister said the government was cutting red tape and accelerating the implementation of recommendations from past inquiries to better safeguard children living in residential care facilities.

Residential care is intended for children and young people with complex needs who cannot be placed in foster or kinship care. However, these facilities have long been criticised for inadequate supervision, high staff turnover, and a lack of therapeutic support. Advocates argue that such conditions leave children vulnerable to harm, including sexual abuse and exploitation by peers or adults.

The alleged incident comes after years of reform efforts following the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, which recommended sweeping changes to how states manage out-of-home care. Queensland has introduced several measures, including mandatory reporting, enhanced screening of staff, and increased oversight, but critics say progress has been too slow.

The minister emphasised that the government is committed to a 'streamlined' approach to reform, focusing on faster implementation of policies that improve safety. 'We are not waiting for another tragedy to act,' the minister said. 'Every child in state care deserves to be safe, and we are working tirelessly to make that a reality.'

Opposition parties and child safety advocates have called for greater transparency and independent oversight of residential care homes. They argue that the government's reliance on internal reviews and self-reporting by providers is insufficient to prevent abuse. Some have also pointed to staffing shortages and a lack of specialised mental health services as ongoing risk factors.

The Queensland government has not released details of the alleged rape, citing the ongoing police investigation and the need to protect the victim’s identity. The minister stressed that the government is cooperating fully with law enforcement and providing support to the girl and her family.