QLD: Thousands of sporting groups to face paedophile test

AAP General News (Australia)
04-05-2001
QLD: Thousands of sporting groups to face paedophile test

Police background checks will be conducted on all people working with children, including
sports coaches, in a bid to stamp out paedophilia in Queensland.

During the launch of the renamed Commission for Children and Young People today, Queensland
Premier PETER BEATTIE said the Working With Children Checks will start on May 1 for newly-appointed
employees.

Workers will be forced to carry suitability cards and reapply every two years under the laws.

More than 18,000 sporting groups will be sent letters from today detailing the checks
that'll start over the next year to cover volunteers and self-employed people.

All checks will cross state borders to ensure the applicant is not a risk.

Childrens' Commissioner ROBIN SULLIVAN says once enacted it will be an offence for
a rejected applicant to reapply, continue or start in child-related employment -- or for
an employer to allow the person to work.





The screening test will apply to anyone working with children in and out of home, residential
facilities providing accommodation, school boarding houses, school and community groups,
church groups, child counselling and support services and private teaching, coaching or
commercial tutoring.

AAP RTV ap/sc/hn/jn A

KEYWORD: CHILDREN (BRISBANE)

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