Media Release
Former Youth Worker Lucas Hope Unveils Groundbreaking Policy Paper to Revolutionise Child Safety with Lifesaving Phones in State Care Homes
6th January, 2025
Hope's Bold Proposal for "Hopeline Phones" Targets Systemic Failures, Empowering Vulnerable Kids in South Australia's Out-of-Home Care Amid Shocking Abuse Rates
Murray Bridge, South Australia – In a powerful call to action, Lucas Hope, former residential care youth worker and correctional officer, now truck driver and candidate for the seat of Hammond in the next state election, on the 15th January, launched a landmark policy paper: Breaking the Silence in Residential Care: A Strategic Intervention Through Fixed-Line Phones. This game-changing document demands the installation of robust, tamper-proof phones in every residential care home in the state, granting children 24/7 confidential access to vital helplines like Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), emergency services (000), and child protection authorities—free from staff oversight. With safeguards in place, kids could even connect with approved family members to rebuild emotional bonds.
South Australia's out-of-home care system is failing catastrophically. In 2023-24, a heartbreaking 4.2% of children in care—one in 24— were the subject of substantiated abuse or neglect, as revealed in the Productivity Commission's 2025 report. These kids face relentless upheaval, often cycling through over 100 carers throughout their time in care, shattering trust and fueling cycles of running away, self-harm, and tragedy.
"I've witnessed the heartbreak up close—kids silenced and suffering because they had no way to call out for help," said Hope. "Children in care often encounter over 100 different carers in their time in care, destroying any hope of stability or trust. That's why this policy is a must: it strikes at the heart of the problem."
Drawing on proven models from NSW prisons, UK residential care homes, and Canadian youth facilities, the paper's draft Child Safety and Communication Enhancement Bill 2025 mandates privacy-focused designs and annual audits to ensure these phones become an unshakeable lifeline.
"It is unacceptable in 2026 that the most vulnerable kids in our society—those the state promised to protect—still don't have access to a simple phone," declared Hope. "This isn't just reform; it's a moral imperative. These kids deserve the same basic lifeline I took for granted growing up. Hopeline Phones could shatter the silence, prevent unimaginable harm, and save lives—it's a low-cost revolution that demands immediate action.”
This groundbreaking policy would be an Australian first. While precedents exist in prisons and overseas, no Australian jurisdiction has implemented this dedicated child-focused lifeline, closing a vital gap in protecting vulnerable youth from abuse and neglect.
Hope extended heartfelt thanks to stakeholders across Australia who contributed their expertise and insights over the past two years, shaping this vital initiative. Regardless of the outcome of the state election, he vows to champion this policy relentlessly.
Download the full policy paper at www.lucashope.com.au/policy. Media and community are urged to join the conversation—contact Hope for interviews or details.
The linked policy paper discusses topics that some readers may find distressing, including child abuse, sexual assault, self-harm, suicide, homelessness, neglect, exploitation, and trauma.
Reader discretion is advised.
In crisis? Support is available: Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support)
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Media Release
Lucas Hope to contest Hammond as an independent
Murray Bridge — 10 November 2025:
Independent candidate, Lucas Hope, today confirmed he will contest the seat of Hammond at the next state election, outlining policy goals focused on safer roads and paid paramedics for Mannum, alongside a goal to upgrade Murray Bridge Hospital, and a nation-first policy to help safeguard children in state care.
Road Safety — Policy Goals
At Monarto, the goal is to convert the “intersection of doom” into a roundabout to reduce crashes and delays. The intersection of doom is located at the intersection of Old Princes Highway and Ferries McDonald Road. At Strathalbyn, the goal is to introduce slow-vehicle turn-out lanes on key approaches to improve safety and traffic flow.
Emergency & Health — Policy Goals
For Mannum, the goal is to secure paid paramedics to complement and support local volunteers, improving reliability of emergency care. In tandem, Hope will advocate a staged, needs-based upgrade of Murray Bridge Hospital, pursuing a realistic funding pathway aligned with local demand.
Child Protection — Policy Goals (Hopeline Phones)
Hopeline Phones (no relation to his surname) —in what will be a nation first—aims to install fixed, tamper-proof phones in every South Australian state care home, giving children a direct, safe line to raise concerns and get help. The phones’ aim to give vulnerable children access to Kids Helpline and other services which they don’t currently have access too.
A plain-English community summary of the plan is scheduled for release on 15 January 2026.
About Lucas Hope
Hope is a local truck driver, former youth residential-care worker and prison officer, and a graduate of Macquarie University (Bachelor of Security Studies) and holds a Diploma in Justice. He attended Murray Bridge South Primary School and Mannum Community College.
“Hammond deserves straight talk and steady results,” Hope said. “These are practical goals to make life safer and easier.”
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