E-Petition

The Petition of residents of the State of Queensland draws to the attention of the House That non-state schools in Queensland are approved to deliver compulsory education under a government accreditation framework, and families enrol in these schools in good faith that appropriate standards of governance, procedural fairness, duty of care, and student well-being will be upheld.

However, when serious concerns arise regarding school leadership, governance, or a child’s well-being, there is no independent mechanism capable of investigating concerns or reviewing decisions where internal processes fail.

Complaints may be handled internally by the same individuals who are the subject of those complaints, with no requirement for independent investigation, transparency, or provision of outcomes. External bodies are limited in scope and cannot assess how decisions are made or how policies are applied in practice.

As a result, families may have no effective avenue for independent review and may be forced into costly legal processes, creating avoidable strain on families and government systems.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to establish an independent complaints and investigation mechanism for non-state schools in Queensland, or expand the powers of an existing regulatory body to receive complaints from parents, investigate governance and decision-making, ensure independence where conflicts arise, and provide transparency of process and outcomes.

Your petitioners further request the introduction of protections for individuals raising concerns, including safe and independent pathways, and ensuring that raising concerns about a child’s education or well-being does not result in adverse consequences for the child or their family.