Membership and terms of reference for Queensland Anti-Cyberbullying Task Force

A 14–member task force, bringing together young Queenslanders, parents, schools, communities and experts, will provide the Queensland Government with detailed advice and coordination on tackling cyberbullying.

Premier said author and journalist Madonna King will chair the Queensland Anti-Bullying Task Force, which will make recommendations for community and government action to reduce the incidence of cyberbullying. The Task Force is due to report by 31 August 2018.

“Madonna is an award-winning journalist and author. She has recently written ‘Being 14’ in which she interviewed 200 14-year-old girls across the country, talked to successful school principals, psychologists, CEOs, police, guidance and neuroscientists to reveal the social, psychological and physical challenges facing 14-year-old girls,” the Premier said.

“Madonna is passionate about this issue. The Task Force members bring their own experiences and expertise to this important issue.”

“I want to ensure we help Queensland kids and their parents and guardians to deal with the issues of cyberbullying, by ensuring we have the tools and strategies available to them.”

The Premier said Member for Mansfield Corrine McMillan will serve on the Task Force and an Opposition Member of Parliament will also be invited to join.

“We need to work together as a community to address this issue. This is impacting on too many Australians,” she said.

State Cabinet was addressed by Federal eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant on the work of her office and how it will support the national effort.

“The Task Force will work in parallel with the national work that the Council of Australian Governments approved in Canberra this month and the work of the Queensland Family and Children Commission.”

COAG agreement

First Ministers agreed that if we are to successfully reduce the incidence of cyberbullying, we must better understand its underlying drivers and adopt a whole-of-community approach. COAG agreed that a working group of senior officials from First Ministers’, Education, Justice and Health departments consider existing and potential initiatives to help combat bullying and cyberbullying and establish a work program to be led by the Education Council. The Education Council will report to COAG at its next meeting on tangible measures where there is an identified need.

Queensland Family and Children Commission

The QFCC is establishing a dedicated Youth Advisory Council and a state-wide survey of school children, between March and June, to collect their stories and experiences of cyberbullying The Council will work through core group of six youth champions and its focus will be on cyberbullying, youth empowerment, out of home care, mental health, youth suicide and disability

Membership – Queensland Anti-Bullying Task Force

• Madonna King – journalist and author (Chair)
• Judith Ketchell - Executive Principal, Tagai State College
• Kevin Bates - President, Queensland Teachers’ Union
• Dr Lee-Anne Perry AM - Executive Director, Queensland Catholic Education Commission
• Tracy Adams - Chief Executive Officer, yourtown
• Candice Butler - Senior Practice Leader Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak  
• Dr James Scott - Associate Professor, University of Queensland (child and adolescent psychiatrist)
• Professor Marilyn Campbell - Faculty of Education, School of Early Childhood and Inclusive Education, Queensland University of Technology
• Peter Black - Senior Lecturer, Queensland University of Technology Law School
• Taj Pabari - Founder of Fiftysix Creations and 2017 Queensland Young Australian of the Year
• Rebecca Sparrow - author and columnist, Ambassador of Pyjama Foundation
• Gayle Walters - President P&Cs Queensland
• Chantel Moody - YMCA Qld Youth Parliament Member and Mentor for the Pyjama Foundation and Raise Foundation
• Naraja Clay – Member of National Youth Reference Group for Headspace

Terms of Reference - Queensland Anti-Bullying Task Force

The Queensland Government maintains a zero tolerance for bullying and cyber-bullying and is committed to working with children, parents, schools, communities and experts to address this complex and pervasive issue.

Role of the Taskforce

The Queensland Anti-Bullying Taskforce (the Taskforce) will provide advice and coordination in relation to developing and implementing an anti-bullying framework for Queensland that will bring together children, parents, schools, communities and experts to counter bullying, harassment and violence amongst young people.

The Taskforce will work to foster creative community-driven solutions that use contemporary ways of engaging, including social media platforms and multimodal communication. Members will harness grass-roots ideas and best-practice research to develop and oversee strategies and initiatives that address the complex causes of bullying and cyber-bullying.

Taskforce members will be key in developing and drawing on community relationships to ensure that everyone can be part of addressing these challenges. Empowering and engaging young people in particular, is a significant part of delivering effective solutions.

Responsibilities will include:

• Develop a proposed Framework for Addressing Bullying (the Framework), presenting recommendations for community and government action to reduce the incidence of bullying and cyber-bullying by 31 August 2018

• Advise government on the development of a program of activities under the Framework

• Advise government on resources, best practices and other strategies to prevent and address bullying behaviour in order to provide appropriate training and intervention

• Consult with the Queensland community to gain the insights of those affected by bullying and harness grass-roots ideas on ways to tackle the issue

• Educate and engage Queenslanders to create a community that practices positive attitudes and behaviours and promotes a culture of non-violence and respectful relationships

• Act as a liaison point between the community and government to encourage ownership of initiatives

• Young people needing support can call the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.
• Parents and carers can call Parentline on 1300 30 1300.

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