The Queensland Government's decision to withdraw funding from Murri Watch's youth cultural support program has drawn criticism from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss, who says the move will place children at greater risk in police watch houses.

The program supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people held in Queensland watch houses, helping ensure detainees' hygiene, food and medical needs are met while in detention.

It is due to end on June 30 after the state government chose not to renew its funding contract.

Ms Kiss, a Kaanju and Birri/Widi woman, said the loss of the service exposed a broader failure to invest in prevention and early intervention for First Nations children.

"The Queensland Government's decision to withdraw funding from Murri Watch's Youth Cultural Support in Watch Houses program puts Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children at greater risk at the very moment they need protection most," Ms Kiss said.

"It also highlights a deeper failure to invest in what actually keeps them safe: prevention and early intervention."

Ms Kiss linked the decision to wider concerns about Aboriginal deaths in custody and the continued over-representation of First Nations children in the justice system.

She said the system was failing children long before they entered detention.

"630 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have died in custody since the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody handed down its recommendations in 1991," Ms Kiss said.

"That number isn't just a statistic - it shows the real consequences of decades of inaction - particularly the failure to stop children entering the justice system in the first place.

"Disturbingly, harmful policies and practices across the country are increasing the risk of children joining the list of those lives lost to the system."

Murri Watch's statewide youth cultural support program assisted 1,233 young people across 16 watch houses in the 2024-25 financial year, including in Brisbane, Caboolture, Southport, Mackay, Townsville and Cairns.

Ms Kiss said the organisation played a direct protective role for children already caught in the system and the service should not be treated as optional.

"However, where children are being captured by harmful systems, Murri Watch provides a culturally safe, protective presence for these children," Ms Kiss said.

"This work is not optional.

"The work Murri Watch does can be the difference between life and death."

She added governments should be investing in community-led, culturally safe services that keep First Nations children connected to family, culture and community and stop them entering watch houses and detention in the first place.

Ending the support while failing to invest in prevention runs against existing commitments, Ms Kiss said.

"Ending this support while failing to invest in prevention undermines Queensland's commitments under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and ignores the lessons of the Royal Commission," she said.

"First Nations children deserve systems designed to promote positive futures and keep them out of custody.

"They have the right to safety, dignity and care."

National Indigenous Times contacted Murri Watch for comment.