By Raini-Eve Webber, Lawyer and Luke Geary, Partner

The Queensland Liberal National Party Government, led by Premier David Crisafulli, has launched a Commission of Inquiry into what it calls a “broken” child safety system, citing long-term systematic failures. Announced on 18 May 2025, the 17-month inquiry is chaired by former Federal Court judge Paul Anastassiou KC and will deliver its final report by 30 November 2026.[1]

Scope and Focus

With terms of reference published in an Extraordinary Queensland Government Gazette on 23 May 2025,[2] the inquiry will examine models of care, departmental accountability, and the legal framework governing child protection. Areas of review include:

• reforming the residential care system and its reliance on a billion-dollar sector;
• reviewing the effectiveness of Queensland’s child safety system;
• evaluating systemic and policy failures affecting children’s safety;
• assessing the Department’s role as a “corporate parent”; and
• reviewing legislation, including the Child Protection Act 1999 and Adoption Act 2009.

Catalysts for Reform

The 2024 Children in Care Census revealed alarming trends among more than 3,000 children in out-of-home care:[3]

• 46% experienced physical abuse;
• 11% endured sexually abused;
• 88% suffered neglected; and
• 68% were exposed to domestic violence.

Nearly a quarter (22%) of children in residential care had attempted suicide, and 73% had been placed in four or more homes.

Child Safety Minister Amanda Camm said, “We have only scratched the surface of neglect, disarray, and morally questionable actions…We owe it to these children to reform the system”.[4]

Next Steps

Public hearings began in July 2025 in Brisbane, with an audit of 800 “self-placing” vulnerable children also underway. The findings are expected to create generational change in Queensland’s child protection system.

Implications for the Historical Abuse Sector

The Inquiry could have significant implications for legal practitioners handling historical abuse claims. As systemic failures are uncovered, claims may increase and clearer evidence of departmental or institutional negligence could expand liability. Reforms to legislation, record-keeping, and inter-agency data sharing may improve access to documentation, alter evidentiary thresholds, and strengthen discovery in litigation.

Ultimately, potential findings could set a benchmark for addressing historical abuse claims across Queensland and influence legal approaches in other jurisdictions.

 

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[1] Premier David Crisafulli and Minister Amanda Camm, ‘Joint Media Statement: Commission of Inquiry into Queensland’s broken Child Safety System’, Queensland Government (Media Release, 18 May 2025) <https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/102583>.

[2] The State of Queensland, ‘Extraordinary Queensland Government Gazette’ (PDF, 23 May 2025) <https://www.publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/5caac4a7-b1ec-43a9-a85f-b86f5c580f25/resource/20a4ca84-077f-4bab-bc99-09e2517ce1aa/download/23.05.25-16-extra-gazette.pdf>.

[3] ‘Children in Care Census 2024’, Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety (PDF, 9 July 2024) <https://performance.dcssds.qld.gov.au/_media/documents/2024-children-in-care-census-full-report-for-publication.pdf>.

[4] Crisafulli and Camm (n 1).