Working with Children Legislation (Indigenous Communities) Amendment Bill 2017

Overview

This bill would have let Community Justice Groups in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities recommend that a local person be issued a blue card to work with children in their own community, even if a past non-sexual conviction would normally block one. The card would be valid only in that community. The bill was introduced by Mr Robbie Katter MP and lapsed at the end of the 55th Parliament, so it did not become law.

Who it affects

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members seeking work with children in remote communities, their Community Justice Groups, and local employers such as schools, childcare services and disability services.

Key changes

• Community Justice Groups could make binding recommendations that a blue card be issued for work in their community area
• A new 'restricted positive notice' would let the holder work with children only in the specified community, not elsewhere in Queensland
• Applicants could be allowed to start work on an interim basis while their application was being decided
• The scheme would cover only a narrow list of non-sexual offences (stealing with violence, burglary, unlawful entry of a vehicle, and specified drug offences) — sexual offenders remained excluded
• The bill lapsed at the end of the 55th Parliament and did not become law