Turnbull Government failing to support Queensland anti-bullying programs

Education Minister Grace Grace is urging the Turnbull Government to make a long-term funding commitment to Queensland’s exemplary efforts to tackle bullying – especially cyber bullying.

Minister Grace told State Parliament today that despite the national focus on cyber bullying, the Prime Minister had failed to provide funding certainty for targeted education programs that are supporting Queensland students, teachers and parents and raising awareness about online safety.

“Queensland signed up to the Online Safety Programs in Schools Project Agreement, providing $1.4 million of federal funding across state, Catholic and Independent schools,” the Minister said.

“This funding supports programs, delivered by providers certified by the eSafety Commissioner, for students, parents and teachers.

“Despite the national focus on cyber bullying, the Turnbull Government has again failed to provide funding certainty beyond the next few months, when the current program expires in June.

“This is another example of the Turnbull Government failing to provide long-term funding certainty for Queensland programs and services.

“The Palaszczuk Government will continue to support Queensland students through a dedicated team of specialists who assist schools in tackling cyber bullying and staying safe online.

“The Department of Education’s own Cybersafety and Reputation Management team provide dedicated support to schools in responding to inappropriate online behaviour and actively seeks to shut down any webpage or website that contains inappropriate, offensive or threatening content involving state school students or staff,” she said.

Since July 2013, the Cybersafety and Reputation Management team has provided more than 700 information sessions to over 91,500 students in 273 schools.

“The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse applauded Queensland’s Cybersafety and Reputation Management team as exemplary and a model for other education jurisdictions.

“I will continue to advocate for theTurnbull Government to commit to a new national funding agreement to ensure these important programs receive the funding needed to keep our children safe from cyber bullying.”

Minister Grace said if the LNP in Queensland was serious about protecting Queensland students from the kind of online bullying that has tragically cost young lives they would stand with the Palaszczuk Government and call on Turnbull Government to restore funding certainty for these vital programs.

“The choice is simple for the Leader of the Opposition – support Malcolm Turnbull ripping funding from our state or stand up for Queensland.”

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