An expanded list of service providers will need to obtain a blue card, while rules will be relaxed for kin, under changes to Queensland’s working with children laws.
An Amendment Bill was introduced into State Parliament this week which expanded who was required to hold a blue card, including people who deliver party, entertainment, beauty and photography services directed at children.
Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath said the Bill would also remove the blue card requirement for kinship carers.
Minister D’Ath said this would mean more children would be able to be cared for by their families, “supporting their connection to family, kin, community and culture”.
“The changed approach is particularly important for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families, who continue to be disproportionately represented in the child protection system,” she said.
Minister D’Ath said a new screening framework would be developed to screen kinship carers to care for kin.
“The proposed legislative amendments would implement a new fit-for-purpose decision-making framework that is more consistent with other jurisdictions,” she said.
“The new framework adopts nationally agreed criteria, which must be considered when a person returns information of concern.”
She said as part of its decision making, Blue Card Services would be able to seek specialist knowledge and advice to assist in deciding a blue card application.
“New powers have also been included to enable the suspension of a person’s card where there would be a risk to the safety of children if the person was allowed to continue to work during reassessment.”
