Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
Referred to Community Safety and Legal Affairs Committee
▸12 members spoke12 support
Supported the bill removing blue card requirements for kinship carers to reduce barriers for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
“Removing the blue card requirement for kinship carers and their adult household members will not compromise the safety of children living with kin.”— 2024-09-11View Hansard
Supported removing blue card requirements for kinship carers but criticised the slow implementation of the 81 QFCC recommendations from 2017.
“For many years the removal of the blue card requirement for kinship carers has been called for by the sector, by family and carers and also by many in this House.”— 2024-09-11View Hansard
As Attorney-General, defended the blue card reforms as nation-leading, particularly the new risk-based decision-making framework and removal of barriers for First Nations people.
“I am proud to leave behind, as part of my legacy, a blue card system that enables increased participation by First Nations peoples and is acknowledged to be one of the most robust in Australia.”— 2024-09-11View Hansard
Supported the bill's changes including the new reasonable person test and kinship carer reforms, while criticising the lengthy delays in implementing recommendations.
“There is much in the working with children bill that is worthy of support. It is just that it should have been done sooner.”— 2024-09-11View Hansard
Welcomed reforms removing blue card barriers for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kinship carers, noting it will help keep First Nations children connected to family, culture and country.
“I welcome these new reforms because I know they will encourage more families to take up kinship care and keep First Nations children connected to kinship.”— 2024-09-11View Hansard
Supported the bill as implementing important QFCC recommendations but criticised the government's slow progress on reforms since the 2017 report.
“Progress has been woefully slow. This review was conducted following the death of a child in foster care.”— 2024-09-11View Hansard
Strongly supported the bill as addressing long-overdue flaws in the blue card system that disproportionately impacted First Nations people and disadvantaged applicants.
“The Greens absolutely support this bill, but it is important in considering these changes to reflect on what has made them necessary and the people who have borne the brunt of the existing system.”— 2024-09-11View Hansard
Supported the bill as implementing crucial reforms including removing blue card barriers for kinship carers and aligning with QFCC recommendations.
“Working with children checks are crucial for fostering a protective environment for our children.”— 2024-09-11View Hansard
Strongly supported the bill for removing blue card barriers for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kinship carers, noting the positive impact for her electorate.
“Removing this requirement will allow more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to be placed with their extended families, enhancing their chances for improved outcomes.”— 2024-09-11View Hansard
Supported the bill's changes including kinship carer reforms and expansion of regulated employment, but expressed concerns about potential delays in the blue card system.
“I hope that the system is well resourced so that those who need to obtain a blue card due to the changes in the legislation can do so in a quick manner.”— 2024-09-11View Hansard
Supported the bill including the committee recommendation to remove blue card requirements for adult household members of kinship carers.
“I also support the amendments that will be moved in consideration in detail by the Attorney-General, in accordance with recommendation 2, to remove the requirements for adult household members of kinship carers to hold a blue card.”— 2024-09-11View Hansard
Supported the bill but strongly criticised the failure to implement the 81 QFCC blue card recommendations sooner, calling for an LNP inquiry into system failures if elected.
“A pile of recommendations to fix the child safety system and the blue card system has been sitting on Labor ministers' desks since 2017—recommendations that could have kept the children in my community safe.”— 2024-09-11View Hansard
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill reforms Queensland's blue card system (Working with Children Check) to better protect children from harm. It implements recommendations from the Queensland Family and Child Commission's review, expands which jobs and businesses need blue cards, modernises how applications are assessed based on risk, and improves information sharing between courts handling child protection and family law matters.
Who it affects
Anyone working or volunteering with children, including new categories like entertainers, photographers, lawyers and overnight camp workers. Kinship carers (relatives caring for children known to child safety) benefit from no longer needing a blue card. Employers must now keep records of staff blue card status.
Key changes
- Expands blue card requirements to overnight camps, children's entertainment (e.g. Santa performers), beauty/talent programs, photography services, lawyers working with children, and children's gyms and play facilities
- Removes the blue card requirement for approved kinship carers (relatives caring for children they know), reducing barriers to family-based care
- Replaces the 'exceptional circumstances' test with a clearer three-tier risk assessment framework for deciding applications from people with relevant criminal history
- Requires employers to keep registers of workers' blue card status and gives Blue Card Services new audit and compliance powers
- Enables Childrens Court child protection records to be shared with other Australian courts, including Family Court, to protect children in family law proceedings