Cyberbullying focus for new Youth Advisory Council and child outreach

Cyberbullying will be the focus for a new dedicated Youth Advisory Council and a State-wide survey of the views of Queenslanders children, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said today.

The Queensland Families and Child Commission (QFCC) is planning to undertake the survey across the State between March and June.

The Youth Advisory Council was being established by QFCC through the work of a core group of six youth champions.

“The issue of cyberbullying will be a focus as will other issues including youth empowerment, out of home care, mental health, youth suicide and disability issues,” the Premier said.

“QFCC is at the forefront of this work and it is ensuring young Queenslanders have a voice – that we understand their views and their experiences.”

The Premier said the QFCC work would be included in the preparation of an issues paper that she wanted to sponsor at the COAG meeting in Canberra on February 9.

The Premier said she had asked Education Minister Grace Grace to bring together stakeholders for a meeting to discuss the issue after Cabinet next week.

The Premier has also asked Members for Townsville Scott Stewart and Mansfield Corrine McMillan – both former school principals – to assist with stakeholders.

“Scott and Corinne have recent experience as senior leaders in Queensland schools, and I want to ensure we have tapped into their experiences,” she said.

QFCC Commissioner Cheryl Vardon will meet with the Federal Government’s eSafety Commissioner in Sydney tomorrow.

Media contact: Kirby Anderson (Premier’s office) 0417 263 791