Amendments to the Child Protection (Working with Children) and Other Child Protection Legislation Amendment Bill 2016 passed the NSW Parliament last week, prompting uproar from the Opposition.

NSW Labor says the new bill allows a person facing criminal charges to be placed on non-child related duties, meaning they could work at a school for the duration of proceedings against them.

Labor’s spokesman for the Illawarra, and Keira MP, Ryan Park said the Baird government had “put every single school student in NSW at risk with this watering down of these vital protections”.

“Every parent has a right to expect that if a teacher or someone working within school grounds is charged with a serious offence they are immediately suspended or dismissed,” Mr Park said. 

“Thanks to the Baird government this is not the case.

“The safety of children should always be the priority. It is simply madness that any measures to protect school aged kids aren’t adopted. This government has failed the students and their families.”

Minister for Family and Community Services Brad Hazzard told Parliament the bill’s education-related amendment made provision for a person whose working with children check had been cancelled on the grounds of pending proceedings “to be suspended or placed on alternate duties pending the outcome of the proceedings, rather than being immediately dismissed”.

“From the point of view of the working with children check, this change makes no difference as such persons will not be engaged in child-related work,” Mr Hazzard said.  

“There can never be too much protection for our children. This bill reflects the government's ongoing commitment to provide the continuous improvements necessary to protect our children and young people.”