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Adoption Legislation Cabinet considered a policy paper about reforming adoption laws. The policy paper covers the following matters: the consents required for a child's adoption to proceed how a birth parent's consent to a child's adoption is provided provisions for open adoption, where birth parents and adoptive parents agree eligibility criteria for prospective adoptive parents the operation of the adoption exp
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Health At the Premier’s request, paediatrician Dr Richard Heazlewood and Dr Lara Weiland, a Cape York General Practitioner, addressed Cabinet regarding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child health. Drs Heazlewood and Weiland also presented Cabinet with a copy of their paper on Indigenous disadvantage in Cape York entitled “Fight for Life”, which had been submitted to the Senate Select Committee on
Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) includes all care and education arrangements for children under compulsory school age and includes playgroups, child care centres, kindergartens and family day care schemes. A reform agenda that targets access, affordability and quality of ECEC is an effective pathway to improved productivity, participation and social inclusion. The Queensland Government
Govt Response to Altruistic Surrogacy On 14 February 2008, the Legislative Assembly resolved to appoint the Investigation into Altruistic Surrogacy Committee (the Committee). On 8 October 2008, the Committee tabled its report in the Legislative Assembly, Investigation into the Decriminalisation and Regulation of Altruistic Surrogacy in Queensland (the Surrogacy Report). The Committee recommended that altruistic surrogacy be decrimina
Education Legislation Amendment Bill 2009 The proposed Education Legislation Amendment Bill 2009 would amend legislation administered by the Department of Education and Training (DET) to provide for the following matters: Provision of Queensland Senior School qualifications overseas The intention of the proposal is to give eligible students at overseas schools the opportunity to receive Queensland senior school qualifications. Currently,
Criminal History Screening Legislation Amendment Bill 2009 The Criminal History Screening Legislation Amendment Bill 2009 proposes to streamline criminal history screening for Queenslanders. These arrangements will reduce duplication of screening and achieve consistency in screening for persons providing services to children and young people or working in a place where the Department of Communities funds or provides disability services, while maintaining
National Early Childhood Development Reform Agenda In December 2007, the Council of Australian Governments’ (COAG) agreed to a partnership between the Australian Government and States and Territories to pursue substantial reform in early childhood development, including reforms to the early childhood education and care quality system. COAG endorsed Australia’s first comprehensive set of aspirations, outcomes, progress measures and future early ch
Surrogacy - proposed Queensland model On 23 April 2009, the Premier and Minister for the Arts made a statement in Parliament announcing that the Queensland Government would decriminalise altruistic surrogacy and would move to develop a legal framework to allow the transfer of legal parentage from the birth mother in a surrogacy arrangement to a child’s intending parents in that arrangement. The proposed Queensland Model for the decri
National Quality Agenda for Early Childhood Education and Care In December 2007, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to a partnership between the Australian Government and States and Territories to pursue substantial reform in early childhood development, including reforms to the early childhood education and care quality system. COAG endorsed Australia’s first comprehensive set of aspirations, outcomes, progress measures and future early chil
Surrogacy Bill 2009 The Surrogacy Bill 2009 (the Bill) decriminalises altruistic surrogacy; allows parties to enter into an altruistic surrogacy arrangement where a woman agrees to conceive and carry a child for another person or another person and that person’s spouse; and provides for a court to make an order for the transfer of the parentage of the child born as a result of the surrogacy arrangement. This is ac
Surrogacy Bill 2009 The draft Surrogacy Bill 2009 (the Bill) decriminalises altruistic surrogacy; allows parties to enter into an altruistic surrogacy arrangement where a woman agrees to conceive and carry a child for another person or another person and that person’s spouse; and provides for a court to make an order for the transfer of the parentage of the child born as a result of the surrogacy arrangement. This
Education Legislation Amendment Bill 2009 The Education Legislation Amendment Bill 2009 will amend legislation administered by the Department of Education and Training (DET) to provide for the following matters: Publication scheme for non-compliance under the Child Care Act 2002 The Bill will amend the Child Care Act 2002 (CCA) to provide parents and guardians with access to information about licensed child care services (with the excepti
Qld Implementation Plan Protecting Australias Children On 30 April 2009, the Council of Australian Governments endorsed “Protecting Children is Everyone’s Business: National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009–2020” (the national framework). The aim of the national framework is to achieve the high-level outcome that Australia’s children and young people are safe and well with the target of a substantial and sustained reduction in chil
Child Protection (Offender Reporting) and other Legislation Amendment Bill 2010 In June 2009 the Ministerial Council for Police and Emergency Management – Police (MCPEMP) endorsed a set of recommendations to establish national consistency in the approach to management of reportable offenders in Australian police jurisdictions. In observation of the MCPEMP recommendations, the Queensland Police Service (QPS) also conducted a review of the Child Protection (Offender Reporting)
Child Care and another act amendment bill 2010 The Child Care and Another Act Amendment Bill 2010 (the Bill) will amend legislation administered by the Department of Education and Training (DET) to provide for the following matters: Child care services to keep log books of compliance history The Bill will amend the Child Care Act 2002 (the CCA) to introduce a requirement for the licensees of all licensed child care services (other than school
Flying Start for Children Discussion Paper The discussion paper A flying start for Queensland children will be released on 2 February 2010 for public consultation on future directions in education for all Queensland schools. The discussion paper has three sections: Getting ready for school, including encouraging families to read to their children and enlisting an army of volunteer Queensland Ready Readers in primary schools; Getting rea
Child Protection and Other Acts Amendment Bill 2010 The Child Protection and Other Acts Amendment Bill 2010 amends the Child Protection Act 1999 and a number of other Acts, including amendments to achieve the policy intent of the Criminal History Screening Legislation Amendment Act 2010. The Child Protection and Other Acts Amendment Bill 2010 includes amendments to enable information sharing for the Helping Out Families initiative, and contains o
Queensland Government response to violence against women and their children The draft National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children (2010-2022) (National Plan) sets out a framework over the next 12 years for the Australian, State and Territory governments and the non-government sector to work together to reduce violence. The National Plan, over 12 years, is built around six supporting outcomes and 59 actions in its first three-year Action Plan that c
10 year plan for Queenslanders with a disability The draft 10 Year Plan for Supporting Queenslanders with a Disability (the 10 Year Plan) sets out the Queensland Government’s vision and commitment for achieving better outcomes for Queenslanders with a disability. It affirms the Queensland Government’s recognition that people with a disability are valued citizens with aspirations and potential to participate and contribute to society like other p
Education and Training Legislation Amendment Bill 2010 The Education and Training Legislation Amendment Bill 2010 (the Bill) will amend legislation administered by the Department of Education and Training to provide for the following matters: Power of State school principals to exclude a student On 18 December 2009, the Minister for Education and Training announced the Government’s commitment to grant State school principals the power to exclude stude
Private Members Bill - Child Protection Bill 2011 The Member for Gregory Mr Vaughan Johnson MP, introduced the Child Protection (More Stringent Offender Reporting) Amendment Bill 2010 as a Private Member’s Bill on 14 April 2010. The Private Member’s Bill proposes to increase the reporting requirements for offenders, restructure penalties for non-compliance and release the information of offenders for non-compliance. The Private Member’s Bill is n
Flying Start for Queensland Children - Education White Paper The Government released the Education Green Paper A Flying Start for Queensland Children for public consultation from February to June 2010. Queenslanders were engaged in extensive consultation including 93 public forums attended by 2,601 people. Forums gave local school communities opportunities to have their say on the proposed reforms and suggest ideas for consideration. In addition, all stakeh
Education and Care Services National Law (Qld) Bill 2011 In December 2009, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to the National Partnership Agreement on the National Quality Agenda for Early Childhood Education and Care. This included the commitment to establish a jointly governed, uniform National Quality Framework (NQF) for early childhood education and care (ECEC) services. Under the NQF sits a national rating and assessment process fo
Education and Care Services Bill 2013 The Education and Care Services Bill 2013 repeals the Child Care Act 2002 and establishes a new regulatory framework for education and care services in Queensland currently regulated under the Child Care Act 2002. On 1 January 2012 the Education and Care Services National Law (Queensland) Act 2011 commenced. This Act applied a nationally consistent regulatory framework for education and care servi
Family Responsibilities Commission Amendment Bill 2014 Welfare reform is an approach to community development that commenced in 2008 in the communities of Hope Vale, Aurukun, Mossman Gorge and Coen. It aims to restore local authority, build stronger and more resilient communities and change behaviours in response to chronic levels of welfare dependency, social dysfunction and economic exclusion. The key component of welfare reform is the Family Respon
Response to Private Members Bill Public Health (Exclusion of Unvaccinated Children from Child Care) Amendment Bill On 23 May 2013, Mrs Jo-Ann Miller MP, Member for Bundamba, introduced the Private Member’s Bill, Public Health (Exclusion of Unvaccinated Children from Child Care) Amendment Bill 2013 (the Bill). The object of this Bill is to give a person in charge of an education and care service or child care service the ability to refuse that a child who is not fully immunised be enrolled in the child care fac
Appointment of members to the Child Death Case Review Panel On 1 July 2012, the Queensland Government established the Queensland Child Protection Commission of Inquiry (the Commission), led by the Honourable Tim Carmody QC. The Commission was tasked with reviewing the entire child protection system and to chart a new roadmap for child protection for the next decade. On 1 July 2013, the Commission released its final report, ‘Taking Responsibility: A Roadmap
Premier’s Special Taskforce on Domestic and Family Violence in Queensland The Queensland Government is committed to making Queensland a safe place for everyone to live. There has been an increase in occurrences of domestic and family violence in recent years. Queensland’s domestic and family violence support system is complex, with several government departments administering police, legal, housing and other support services. There are also a number of non-government o
Queensland Child Protection Reform Bills On 1 July 2013, the Queensland Child Protection Commission of Inquiry issued its landmark report making 121 recommendations to improve Queensland’s child protection system. The aim of the recommended reforms is to make it easier for families to get support so that wherever possible, children can remain safely at home. In December 2013, the Queensland Government tabled a response to the Commission
Review of the Child Protection Act 1999 In July 2013, the Queensland Child Protection Commission of Inquiry released its report, Taking Responsibility: A Road Map for Queensland Child Protection. The Commission of Inquiry found that the child protection system was under immense stress and made 121 recommendations aimed at building a sustainable and effective child protection system over the next decade. In December 2013, the then Quee
Appointment of members to the Child Death Case Review Panel On 1 July 2012, the Queensland Government established the Queensland Child Protection Commission of Inquiry (the Commission), which was tasked with reviewing the entire child protection system and to chart a new roadmap for child protection for the next decade. On 1 July 2013, the Commission released its final report, ‘Taking Responsibility: A Roadmap for Queensland Child Protection’. The Commissi
Commission of Inquiry into the closure of the Barrett Adolescent Centre The Queensland Government publicly committed to establish a Commission of Inquiry into the decisions and circumstances surrounding the closure of the Barrett Adolescent Centre at Wacol (BAC). The Commission of Inquiry will make full and careful inquiry into the: decision to close the BAC and cease the on-site integrated education program delivered by the BAC Special School; alternatives considere
Public Health Childcare Vaccination Amendment Bill 2015 The Public Health (Childcare Vaccination) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 amends the Public Health Act 2005 to give the person in charge of an education and care service, approved under the Education and Care Services National Law (Queensland) or the Education and Care Services Act 2013, the discretion to refuse enrolment and/or attendance of an unvaccinated child, unless the child: has
Youth Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 A first stage of reforms has been completed in relation to legislative amendments to the Youth Justice Act 1992, Childrens Court Act 1992, and Penalties and Sentencing Act 1992. The Youth Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 provides for the: reinstatement of both the sentencing principle in the Youth Justice Act 1992 that a detention order and detaining of a child in custody for an
Advancing education - an action plan for education in Queensland Advancing education – An action plan for education in Queensland outlines the Government’s long term policy strategy for education and the actions to be taken to deliver this vision. The Action plan is for consultation with stakeholders and the broader community. The action plan covers early childhood education and care and schooling and initiatives in the plan provide for: A confident start: supp
Appointment Principal Commissioner Queensland Family and Child Commission The Family and Child Commission Act 2014 provides that there is to be a Principal Commissioner of the Queensland Family and Child Commission. The role of the Principal Commissioner includes ensuring that the Commission performs its functions under the Act effectively and efficiently. The functions of the Principal Commissioner are also to control the Commission and to record, analyse, research
Review of the operation of the Adoption Act 2009 The Minister for Communities, Women and Youth, Minister for Child Safety and Minister for Multicultural Affairs has initiated a review of the operation of the Adoption Act 2009 (the Act) and will review the impact of Queensland’s adoption legislation on children and families. The Act requires the Minister to ensure the operation of the Act is reviewed, as soon as practicable, five years after comm
Appointment of the Public Guardian Section 9 of the Public Guardian Act 2014 (the Act) provides that there must be a Public Guardian. Section 10 of the Act provides that the Public Guardian’s role: in relation to adults who have impaired capacity for a matter, is to protect their rights and interests; and in relation to relevant children and children staying at a visitable site, is to protect their rights and interests. Section 97
Supporting Families Changing Futures - advancing Queensland child protection and family support reforms The Queensland Child Protection Commission of Inquiry released its report, Taking Responsibility: A Roadmap for Queensland Child Protection on 1 July 2013. The Government committed to continue implementation of the Commission of Inquiry recommendations and has reviewed the child and family reforms and identified opportunities to build on the foundations laid by the Commission of Inquiry recommenda
Child Protection Reform Amendment Bill 2016 and Director of Child Protection Litigation Bill 2016 In 2013, the Queensland Child Protection Commission of Inquiry made 121 recommendations to transform the existing child protection system. The Queensland Government is implementing legislative amendments to respond to the Commission of Inquiry’s recommendations in three stages. The Child Protection Reform Amendment Bill 2016 (CPRA Bill) and the Director of Child Protection Litigation Bill 2016 (D
Queensland Family and Child Commission report into Queensland children missing from out-of-home-care - When a child is missing Remembering Tiahleigh On 30 October 2015, Tiahleigh Palmer, a 12 year old girl in out-of-home-care, went missing and on 5 November 2015, she was found deceased. Six days elapsed after Tiahleigh was last seen before a media release was issued to seek public information. On 10 November 2015, the Premier and Minister for the Arts wrote to the Queensland Family and Child Commission requesting a whole-of-government systems
Review of the operation of the Adoption Act 2009 The Minister for Communities, Women and Youth, Minister for Child Safety and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence has finalised a review of the operation of the Adoption Act 2009 and produced a report on the outcomes of the review. In September 2015 the Minister released the discussion paper, ‘Public consultation for the review of the operation of the Adoption Act 2009’, and
Appointment of Commissioner of Queensland Family and Child Commission The Family and Child Commission Act 2014 provides for the appointment of Commissioners of the Queensland Family and Child Commission. The functions of a Commissioner includes to ensure the Commission performs its functions under the Act effectively and efficiently and to make recommendations to the Minister about matters relating to the performance or exercise of the functions and powers of the
Child Protection (Offender Reporting) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016 The Government will introduce new legislation to give effect to recommendations made by the Crime and Corruption Commission through its review of the Child Protection (Offender Prohibition Order) Act 2008 (CPOPOA). The Child Protection (Offender Reporting) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016 introduces a holistic response to reportable offender management, streamlines the administration of t
Delivery of Kindergarten in remote state schools in 2017 Under the National Partnership Agreement on Universal Access to Early Childhood Education 2016-2017 (NP UAECE), the Queensland Government committed to ensuring all children have the opportunity to access kindergarten in the year before school. While more than 95% of Queensland children attend kindergarten, access for children in remote communities remains a challenge, with participation estimated
Youth Justice and Other Legislation (Inclusion of 17 year old Persons) Amendment Bill 2016 The youth justice system in Queensland currently applies to young people aged between 10 and 16 years of age, with 17-year-olds treated as adults in the criminal justice system. Inclusion of 17-year-olds in the adult criminal justice system is inconsistent with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the law in all other Australian states and territories. It is also inconsist
Queensland Family and Child Commission assessment of agency reviews into circumstances surrounding the death of a child On 11 July 2016, following the tragic death of 21 month old Mason Jet Lee, the Premier and Minister for the Arts wrote to the Principal Commissioner, Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC), requesting the QFCC work with all agencies reviewing their contact with Mason and his family to ensure the reviews were undertaken in a speedy and thorough manner. The circumstances of the death of Mason
Implementation of Queensland Family and Child Commission Report into Queensland children missing from out-of-home care and Supplementary Review On 11 July 2016, the Premier and Minister for the Arts publicly released the Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC) report When a Child is missing – Remembering Tiahleigh – A report into Queensland’s children missing from out-of-home care (the When a Child is Missing report), and the Government committed to implement all 29 recommendations of the report. As required in recommendation 28 in
A Reportable Conduct Scheme for Queensland - Oversight for the conduct of organisations and their employees in responding to child abuse A Reportable Conduct Scheme provides consistency to, and oversees, how allegations of child abuse and neglect are handled by organisations and Government departments. Reportable conduct is usually defined as including sexual misconduct or offences, assault or ill-treatment of a child, and any behaviour that causes psychological harm to a child. Queensland will work with other jurisdictions to pr
Appointment of members to Child Death Case Review Panel In response to the Queensland Child Protection Commission of Inquiry, a revised system of reviewing the involvement of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services (DCCSDS) with particular children who have died or suffered serious physical injury commenced on 1 July 2014. The system includes a review by the chief executive and a further independent review by a panel of app
Healthy Futures Commission Queensland Bill 2017 The Healthy Futures Commission Queensland Bill 2017 provides the legislative framework for the establishment and operation of the Healthy Futures Commission Queensland (the Commission). The overarching purpose of the Commission is to support the capacity of children and families to adopt a healthy lifestyle, with particular focus on reducing health inequity. In doing so, the Commission will focus
Our Way - A Generational Strategy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families 2017-2037 Our Way: A generational strategy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families 2017-2037 (the Strategy) was developed in partnership between Family Matters Queensland and the Queensland Government, and aims to ensure that all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in Queensland grow up safe and cared for in family, community and culture. The Strategy outl
Reconciliation Plan for children who as wards of the State were placed in adult mental health facilities During the 1950s through to the 1980s, some Queensland children in the care of the State, who did not have an identified mental illness, were placed in adult mental health institutions. In 2010, the Queensland Government apologised to those who, as children in the care of the State of Queensland, suffered in any way while resident in an adult mental health facility. In 2016, Queensland Health beg
Tackling bullying and cyberbullying against young people Bullying involves a misuse of power in a relationship, is ongoing and repeated, and it involves behaviours that can cause harm. While bullying can affect people of all ages, recent public attention surrounding bullying has been focussed on school-aged children. Cyberbullying refers to bullying that is carried out through information and communication technologies, an area that is notoriously diffi
Our Future State - Advancing Queensland Priorities Our Future State: Advancing Queensland’s Priorities was developed to build on the Government’s commitments and to harness a whole-of-Government effort to deliver for Queensland. There are six outcome priorities for the Queensland community: Create jobs in a strong economy Give all our children a great start Keep Queenslanders healthy Keep communities safe Protect the Great Barrier Reef Be a res
National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse (Commonwealth Powers) Bill 2018 The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse’s (Royal Commission) Redress and Civil Litigation Report was publicly released on 14 September 2015. The Report recommended establishment of a single national redress scheme to provide eligible applicants who experienced institutional child sexual abuse with a monetary payment, access to counselling and psychological care, and
Appointment of Commissioner Queensland Family and Child Commission The Family and Child Commission Act 2014 provides that there is to be a Principal Commissioner and a Commissioner of the Queensland Family and Child Commission. The role of a Commissioner includes to ensure the Queensland Family and Child Commission performs its functions under the Act effectively and efficiently and to make recommendations to the Minister about matters relating to the performanc
Implementation of Our Future State - Advancing Queensland’s Priorities In June 2018, the Queensland Government released Our Future State: Advancing Queensland’s Priorities, which are the Queensland Government’s Statement of Objectives for the Community in accordance with the Financial Accountability Act 2009. There are six outcomes for the Queensland community: Create jobs in a strong economy Give all our children a great start Keep Queenslanders health Keep communit
Thriving Communities - Advancing Queensland The Queensland Government is committed to improving the wellbeing of Queenslanders and communities. Government agencies are working together with community partners to implement place-based approaches to support thriving communities across the state. Thriving communities are inclusive, diverse, Age Friendly and All Abilities places in which people enjoy high levels of social and economic wellbeing
Appointment of Principal Commissioner of Queensland Family and Child Commission The Queensland Family and Child Commission (the Commission) is established under section 6 of the Family and Child Commission Act 2014 (the Act). The Commission’s functions involve promoting the safety, wellbeing and best interests of children and young people. The functions of a Commissioner are to ensure the Commission performs its functions under the Act effectively and efficiently; and to make
First 2019 Report on implementation of anti-cyberbullying report recommendations The Queensland Anti-Cyberbullying Taskforce (Taskforce) undertook extensive consultation with the Queensland community, culminating in its report Adjust our Settings: A community approach to address cyberbullying among children and young people in Queensland (Report). The Report made 29 recommendations. The Queensland Government Response released on 15 October 2018 accepted or accepted in-principl
Establishment of and appointments to Queensland Anti-Cyberbullying Advisory Committee The Queensland Anti-Cyberbullying Advisory Committee is part of the Government’s response to the recommendations of the Queensland Anti-Cyberbullying Taskforce Report. The Queensland Anti-Cyberbullying Advisory Committee will provide independent advice to Government on implementation of the 29 recommendations of the Queensland Anti-Cyberbullying Taskforce Report. The Queensland Anti-Cyberbullying
Consultation legislation Torres Strait Islander traditional child rearing practices Torres Strait Islander people have practiced traditional child rearing practices since time immemorial. This widespread family custom of sharing the care of children within the extended family, is strongly connected to wider aspects of customary law which defines the identity of Torres Strait Islander people and is important to the sense of stability and social order of Torres Strait Islander soci
Second Progress Report on implementation of Queensland Anti-Cyberbullying Taskforce Report recommendations The Queensland Anti-Cyberbullying Taskforce (Taskforce) undertook extensive consultation with the Queensland community, culminating in its report Adjust our Settings: A community approach to address cyberbullying among children and young people in Queensland (Taskforce Report). The Taskforce Report made 29 recommendations and the Queensland Government Response accepted all 29 Report recommendatio
Establishment of and appointments to Queensland First Children and Families Board The Queensland First Children and Families Board (the Board) is established to guide and oversee the Our Way: A generational strategy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and Families 2017-2037 (the Strategy) and associated actions plans, including its first three-year action plan, Changing Tracks: An action plan for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families 2017-20
Our Way and Changing Tracks - Monitoring Evaluation and Report Our Way: A generational strategy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families 2017-2037 (Our Way) is a whole of government, generational strategy developed and released in 2017 by the Queensland Government in partnership with Family Matters Queensland. Our Way represents a fundamental shift in how government and non-government services work with, and for, Queensland’s Aboriginal
Appointment of Principal Commissioner of Queensland Family and Child Commission The Queensland Family and Child Commission (the Commission) is established under section 6 of the Family and Child Commission Act 2014 (the Act). The Commission’s functions involve promoting the safety, wellbeing and best interests of children and young people. Section 11 of the Act provides that two Commissioners are to be appointed to the Commission by the Governor in Council. The functions of a
Appointment of Commissioner of Queensland Family and Child Commission Section 6 of the Family and Child Commission Act 2014 (the Act) provides for the establishment of the Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC). The QFCC has been established to: promote the safety, wellbeing and best interests of children and young people; promote and advocate the responsibilities of families and communities to protect and care for children and young people; and improve th
Increasing access to kindergarten in rural and remote communities The Queensland Government is committed to giving all children the best possible start in life. Increasing wellbeing prior to school through participation in a kindergarten program is a key priority of the Queensland Government under Our Future State: Advancing Queensland’s Priorities. To ensure all children can access a kindergarten program, regardless of their location or family circumstances, t
Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2018 On 13 November 2018, the government introduced the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2018 (Bill). On 14 February 2019, the Education, Employment and Small Business Committee tabled Report No. 12 on the Bill, recommending that the Bill be passed. The Bill amends the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 and introduce
Queensland’s position on Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility Across Australia, a child under 10 years of age cannot be prosecuted for a criminal offence (minimum age of criminal responsibility). A rebuttable presumption, known as doli incapax, exists for children between 10 and 14 years of age. In Queensland, the presumption requires the prosecution to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the child had the capacity to know that the child ought not commit
Child Protection (Offender Reporting and Offender Prohibition Order) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022 The Child Protection (Offender Reporting and Offender Prohibition Order) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022 (the Bill) seeks to ensure the legislative framework which underpins the child protection registry scheme remains contemporary, accounts for changes in offending patterns and is continually improved to enhance its ability to protect the lives and sexual safety of children. The Bill am
Government response to Legal Affairs and Safety Committee Report No 38 The Legal Affairs and Safety Committee (the Committee) tabled its Report No. 38: Examination of the Working with Children (Indigenous Communities) Amendment Bill 2021 (LASC Report No. 38) on 31 October 2022. The Working with Children (Indigenous Communities) Amendment Bill 2021 (Private Member’s Bill) proposes amendments to the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 to enab
Appointment of a Commissioner of the Queensland Family and Child Commission The Queensland Family and Child Commission (the Commission) is established under section 6 of the Family and Child Commission Act 2014 (the Act). The Commission’s functions involve promoting the safety, wellbeing and best interests of children and young people. Section 11 of the Act provides that two Commissioners are to be appointed to the Commission by the Governor in Council. The functions of a
Reappointment of Director of Child Protection Litigation Section 7 of the Director of Child Protection Litigation Act 2016 (DCPL Act) states there must be a Director of Child Protection Litigation (DCPL). The DCPL’s main functions are to do the following under the Child Protection Act 1999: prepare and apply for child protection orders and conduct protection proceedings; prepare and apply for transfers of a child protection order or child protection to