{
  "id": 12937882,
  "title": "Amount of people barred from working with children in Qld nearly doubles",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/amount-of-people-barred-from-working-with-children-in-qld-nearly",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-08T19:40:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-09/thousands-refused-blue-cards-in-queensland/107239402"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The number of individuals barred from working with children in Queensland has nearly doubled in the past financial year, according to a report from the state government. In the previous fiscal year, 6,403 people were denied blue card checks, which is remarkably close to double the 3,712 people who were prevented from holding passes in the 2024-2025 fiscal year. The Department of Justice maintains that this surge is indicative of a robust system in place to protect children and young individuals. As of now, over 1.4 million people are monitored through the blue card system, a figure that has increased by approximately 100,000 people compared to the previous year. This expansion of the system's scope was introduced in December following a comprehensive report on child safety sector failures, which was sparked by the persistent offenses of paedophile Ashley Paul Griffith. Despite the increased number of refusals, the Department of Justice asserts that the system's effectiveness cannot be questioned. However, Professor Tamara Walsh from the University of Queensland raises concerns, pointing out that a large number of refusals are often due to discretion given to decision-makers, rather than an enhanced level of protection. She emphasizes that individuals with past drug offenses, for instance, might be denied blue cards for future roles in youth justice, even if they should be allowed. The Queensland Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Integrity, Deb Frecklington, recently introduced legislation for a new Child Protection Commission aimed at centralizing the coordination of agencies and departments, including blue card services, to better share intelligence and investigate concerning behavior that may not be severe enough for a police investigation.",
  "summary": "The government says thousands of additional blue card refusals mean a strong system, but legal academics warn it could have unintended impacts.",
  "key_points": [
    "Number of individuals barred from working with children nearly doubled in Queensland.",
    "6,403 people denied blue card checks in previous fiscal year.",
    "Expansion of blue card system introduced in December 2024."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}