Queensland will fast-track requirements for the early childhood sector to investigate and report suspicious conduct.
State Attorney-General and Justice Minister Deb Frecklington said the Reportable Conduct Scheme, a recommendation of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in 2017, will commence from July 1 next year.
Minister Frecklington said this was 12 months ahead of the previous timeline.
She said implementation would be over three stages from mid-2026 to mid-2027.
“The Government is accelerating these timeframes to require the early childhood sector to comply with the Reportable Conduct Scheme as soon as possible and boost protection for Queensland children.”
Minister Frecklington said amendments would be brought to the Queensland Parliament in coming months to give effect to the change.
She said the scheme required organisations to report and investigate concerns regarding the conduct of staff and volunteers in relation to their work with children.
“Reportable conduct ranges from ill-treatment or significant neglect of a child, through to physical harm and sexual offences.”
Where there are concerns the alleged conduct may constitute a criminal offence, the organisation must also promptly report the matter to the police.”
Minister Frecklington said the scheme would prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children by holding organisations accountable when concerns were raised regarding the behaviour of their employees, contractors, or volunteers.
“We are acting now, based on interim findings in our Blue Card Review, and we’ll continue to deliver the strongest protections in the nation for children,” she said.
“All options are on the table and we’ll be looking closely at the recommendations from both the Blue Card review and the Child Safety Commission of Inquiry.”
