Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett has raised concerns that a gaping loophole in the state’s Blue Card system which left almost 5,500 Queensland children at risk has not been resolved.
During Question Time in state parliament today, Mr Bennett asked the Child Safety Minister why her government had failed to ensure that the loophole was closed immediately to keep Queensland kids safe.
Mr Bennett, the Opposition Child Safety spokesperson, said he was disturbed that the serious glitch had not been addressed.
“The Palaszczuk Government has known about this serious loophole since November last year, and we are still here waiting for the problem to be fixed to protect innocent children from potential harm,” Mr Bennett said.
“Surely nothing is more important than the safety of our kids.”
Mr Bennett said the loophole meant staff in rural and remote areas can be in classrooms, working with children, before they’ve been through critical background checks.
“Today it was extremely disappointing that the Child Safety Minister couldn’t even answer my question,” he said.
“The Minister’s response just proves this government isn’t taking the issue seriously.”
Mr Bennett said the LNP stands ready to work with Labor to immediately modernise the Blue Card application process to close the loophole.
Wednesday, 7 March 2018