Chief Executive (Child Safety)
Role / OfficeReferenced in 3 bills
Criminal Law (Raising the Age of Responsibility) Amendment Bill 2021
This bill sought to raise the age of criminal responsibility in Queensland from 10 to 14 years old. It would have prevented children under 14 from being charged, prosecuted, detained or given criminal records, and required the release of children already in custody for offences committed before age 14. The bill failed at the second reading and did not become law.
Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2018
This bill implements a 'No Card, No Start' policy requiring all workers in child-related employment to hold a valid blue card before commencing work. It also modernises the blue card application process, creates a register to monitor home-based care services, and expands the list of offences that disqualify people from working with children.
Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024
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.