Queensland’s Blue Card Child Protection System will be reviewed by the state’s Child Death Review Board to identify systemic weaknesses.
Premier David Crisafulli said the inquiry’s Terms of Reference focused on system responses to child sexual abuse, including those that failed to protect children from convicted paedophile Ashley Paul Griffith.
Premier Crisafulli said under the leadership of Child Death Review Board Chairperson Luke Twyford, the inquiry would identify weaknesses in laws, policies, procedures and practices, across early childhood education and care, police, and blue card systems.
He said it would uncover system failings and deliver recommendations needed to improve Queensland’s child protection system framework.
“This Inquiry is what is needed to bring child protection weaknesses into the light and protect children from the danger lurking in the shadows,” he said.
“We must leave no stone unturned in identifying weaknesses across government that are failing keeping children safe and implement the reform that’s urgently needed.”
Child Death Review Board Chairperson Luke Twyford said he welcomed the opportunity to lead the review, examining one of the most horrific cases of child sexual exploitation reported in Australia.
“The review will include input from experts and victims of child sexual exploitation to ensure our review is carried out to the highest standards and considers contemporary child safeguarding practices,” Mr Twyford said.
“Our findings will be released publicly, and we will release public progress reports throughout the review period to ensure transparency and to provide the public with confidence in the process,” he said.
