Child abusers, killer drivers and drug addicts are among the convicted criminals who have been allowed to work with kids.
A total of 24 Queenslanders rejected for working-with-children blue cards have been able to successfully appeal during the last year.
Those now allowed to work with kids include an ice addict, a drug-and-drink driver who killed another motorist, and mothers accused of assaulting their own children.
Child abusers, killer drivers and drug addicts are among the convicted criminals who have been allowed to work with kids (pictured is Tiahleigh Palmer, murdered by her foster father)
A total of 24 Queenslanders rejected for working-with-children blue cards have been able to successfully appeal during the last year (pictured is Michael Patrick Murray, who successfully appealed a blue card ban)
An investigation by The Courier-Mail found the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal overturned one-in-every-four bans in the past six years.
One of the successful appeals was made by hit-and-run driver Michael Patrick Murray, who struck and killed a university student, Nine News reported.
Anyone convicted and jailed for serious child sex offences, the murder of a child, or offences related to child exploitation material are banned from obtaining blue cards.
But other criminals, including drug dealers, armed robbers and wife bashers, can get one if their cases are deemed exceptional and authorities do not believe there is a risk to children.
An investigation by The Courier-Mail found the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal overturned one-in-every-four bans in the past six years (stock image)
The revelations would send shock waves to every parent in the state, the Queensland Liberal National Party opposition said.
The party has called for the urgent implementation of a raft of recommended changes in a state government review last year, including expanding the list of crimes that would automatically exclude someone from obtaining a blue card.
The review was triggered by the murder of 12-year-old Tiahleigh Palmer by her foster father Rick Thorburn.
Deputy Opposition Leader Tim Mander raised Tiahleigh’s death as an example of children being at risk.
‘Children in Queensland remain at risk because of a flawed blue card system,’ he told reporters on Monday.
‘If the policies and guidelines are tighter and stricter, it will make it more difficult for any judicial overturn.’
But he stopped short of calling for an outright ban on anyone with a criminal record obtaining a blue card.
‘There’s no doubt there’s degrees of severity regarding criminal acts,’ Mr Mander said.
Child safety campaigner and Bravehearts founder Hetty Johnston said the rules about who can obtain blue cards aren’t strict enough.
‘I’m horrified … I had no idea it [the number of successful appeals] was so many,” Ms Johnston said.
Child safety campaigner and Bravehearts founder Hetty Johnston (pictured) said the rules about who can obtain blue cards aren’t strict enough
‘The working with children check is all protecting children and it’s their best interests that should be first.’
A spokeswoman for Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath said work to implement the reforms was well underway.
A Blue Card Services spokeswoman told the paper the QCAT appeals process was about providing ‘natural justice’.
She said police monitor the criminal records of blue card applicants and cardholders, and they can be suspended or cancelled.
Deputy Opposition Leader Tim Mander raised Tiahleigh’s death as an example of children being at risk (pictured is Tiahleigh’s foster father Rick Thorburn)