Queensland Parliament Passes Mason’s Law on Child Abuse

Beginning July next year, early childhood education and care workers will be compelled to report suspected child abuse cases after “Mason’s Law” was passed by Queensland Parliament.

The Queensland Parliament passed “Mason’s Law” on Wednesday night, after all political parties backed amendments to Queensland’s Child Protection legislation, which would come into effect from July 1, 2017.

The law was pushed through Parliament in a private member’s bill by Liberal National Party MP Tracy Davis, the previous government’s child safety minister.

The legislation pays tribute to Mason Parker, a 16-month-old boy, from Townsville, who was murdered in 2011, days after child care workers photographed bruises on his body. The new law follows a five-year battle by Mason’s grandparents John and Sue Sandeman after their grandson’s murder.

Childcare workers were able to photograph the bruising on the boy’s body, but did not alert authorities. Within a week after the photographs were taken, Mason was murdered by his mother’s partner, Troy William Reed, who is now serving at least 15 years in jail for the crime.

The grandparents petitioned both major parties to make it mandatory for child care workers and early childhood education workers to report suspected child abuse, and after five years, Mr and Mrs Sandeman succeeded and were in State Parliament to see their bills become law. The couple were emotional as the legislation passed the house.

Mr Sandeman said the law would not change what happened to their grandson, but hoped it would save another child’s life.

“It’s been such a long time that I really thought it would never, never happen.

“Mason’s Law to me means he’s going to be remembered forever by a lot of people.

“And Mason himself “” even though he died “” he’s helped people, he’s helped little kids too.

“I hope he’s up there and he’s proud of what we’ve done,” he said.

Current Child Safety Minister Shannon Fentiman said child care workers had always been able to express their concerns about children, but with the new legislation, it will make it mandatory for them to report any concern to child safety officers.

“It means child protection mandatory reporting requirements will be extended to approved providers, supervisors, nominated supervisors, family day care co-ordinators, educators and family day care educators,” she said.

The new legislation means that Queensland’s child care and early education workers will have the same child abuse notification guidelines as all states and territories, except Victoria and Western Australia.

Source: Essentialbaby.com.au