FBN v Director-General, Department of Justice and Attorney-General [2020] QCAT 260
QUEENSLAND CIVIL AND
ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL
CITATION: FBN v Director-General, Department of Justice and
Attorney-General [2020] QCAT 260
PARTIES: FBN
(applicant)
v
DIRECTOR-GENERAL, DEPARTMENT OF
JUSTICE AND ATTORNEY-GENERAL
(respondent)
APPLICATION NO/S: CML048-20
MATTER TYPE: Childrens matters
DELIVERED ON: 15 July 2020
HEARING DATES: 15 June 2020; 16 June 2020
HEARD AT: Brisbane
DECISION OF: Member Kanowski
ORDERS: The decision made by the chief executive under
section 221(2) of the Working with Children (Risk
Management and Screening) Act 2000 (Qld) that the
applicant’s is an exceptional case is confirmed.
The publication of information that may identify
the applicant is prohibited.
CATCHWORDS: FAMILY LAW AND CHILD WELFARE – CHILD
WELFARE UNDER STATE OR TERRITORY
JURISDICTION AND LEGISLATION – GENERALLY
– where applicant seeks blue card for working with
children – where applicant had committed offences of
possessing cannabis – where applicant’s drug use had then
continued – whether exceptional case in which it would not
be in best interests of children for applicant to have a
positive notice
Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening)
Act 2000 (Qld), s 221, s 226, s 360
Commissioner for Children and Young People and Child
Guardian v Maher & Anor [2014] QCA 492
CW v Chief Executive, Public Safety Business Agency
[2015] QCAT 219
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APPEARANCES &
REPRESENTATION:
Applicant: R O’Gorman instructed by Gilshenan & Luton Legal
Practice
Respondent: D Taylor, in-house lawyer
REASONS FOR DECISION
Introduction
FBN is aged 26. He wishes to obtain a blue card so that he can undertake the remaining
practical placements required to complete his studies to become a high school teacher.
A blue card is required in Queensland for working with children. Before a person can
obtain a blue card, they must first be issued with a positive notice under the Working
with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 (Qld) (‘Working with
Children Act’).
After FBN applied for a blue card in June 2019, the respondent (‘Blue Card Services’)
decided to issue a negative notice. Such a notice precludes a person from holding a
blue card while the notice remains in force. Blue Card Services had regard to FBN’s
criminal history, which included some recent drug offences. While FBN has not been
convicted of any ‘serious offences’ as defined, Blue Card Services decided that FBN’s
is an exceptional case in which it would not be in the best interests of children for him
to be issued with a positive notice.
FBN has applied to the Tribunal for a review of that decision.
History
FBN was born in September 1993. He was issued with a positive notice and blue card
in July 2016, when he was 22. Blue Card Services was aware of FBN’s criminal
history. However, after considering his explanations and the other information at its
disposal, Blue Card Services decided to issue the notice and the card.
In December 2018 Blue Card Services was informed that FBN had been charged with
drug offences that month. It started a process to consider whether the notice and card
should be cancelled, but they expired in July 2019 while that process was incomplete.
Meanwhile, on 3 June 2019, FBN had applied for renewal of his blue card. Blue Card
Services invited submissions on the updated criminal history and related matters.
FBN’s lawyers, Gilshenan and Luton, advised Blue Card Services that FBN relied on
their submissions, provided in relation to the proposed cancellation, dated 19 March
2019.
On 23 January 2020 Blue Card Services decided to issue a negative notice. On 12
February 2020, FBN applied to the Tribunal for a review.
The documents before the Tribunal consist of a bundle (page-numbered BCS1-60)
prepared by Blue Card Services. This includes the 19 March 2019 submissions
prepared by Gilshenan and Luton. FBN gave oral evidence at the hearing. On 7 May
2020 FBN’s lawyers had filed written submissions prepared by Ms O'Gorman.
However, Ms O'Gorman at the hearing asked me to put the written submissions aside
and instead have regard to her oral submissions.
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Legislative framework
The Working with Children Act is designed to promote and protect the rights, interests
and wellbeing of children and young people, including by the screening of persons
engaged in particular employment or business.1 The Act is to be administered under
the principle that the welfare and best interests of a child are paramount, and the
principle that every child is entitled to be cared for in a way that protects the child
from harm and promotes the child’s wellbeing.2
In a case such as the present, where the applicant has not been convicted of a ‘serious
offence’, Blue Card Services must ordinarily issue a positive notice.3 However, if Blue
Card Services (and, in turn, the Tribunal) is satisfied that it is an exceptional case in
which it would not be in the best interests of children for a positive notice to be issued,
a negative notice must instead be issued.4
Matters to be considered in deciding whether there is an exceptional case are,
relevantly and in summary:
(a) whether an offence or alleged offence committed by the person is a ‘serious
offence’ or a ‘disqualifying offence’;
(b) when the offence or alleged offence was committed;
(c) the nature of the offence and its relevance to employment, or the carrying on of
a business, that involves or may involve children;
(d) the penalty imposed by the Court;
(e) if the Court did not impose an imprisonment order, the reasons for the Court’s
decision; and
(f) anything else relating to the commission or alleged commission of the offence
that is relevant to the assessment of the applicant.5
The Tribunal must conduct a fresh hearing on the merits, with the aim of arriving at
the correct and preferable decision.6 The principle that the welfare and best interests
of a child are paramount is to be applied.7
FBN’s criminal history
There are two charges on FBN’s criminal history which the prosecution discontinued.
One was a charge of being drunk or disorderly in licensed premises in July 2013. The
other was ‘assault or obstruct police officer’ in May 2014, though it is apparent from
the police outline of facts that the incident involved obstruction rather than assault.
According to that outline, FBN was in a shop late at night with a friend. The friend
began swiping objects off a counter onto the floor. The friend and FBN began verbally
abusing the shop attendant, who challenged them and then chased them down the
1 Working with Children Act, s 5.
2 Ibid, s 6.
3 Ibid, s 221(1).
4 Ibid, s 221(2).
5 Ibid, s 226.
6 Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2009 (Qld), s 20 (‘QCAT Act’).
7 Working with Children Act, s 360.
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street. Police intervened and pursued FBN and his friend. FBN eventually tripped and
was apprehended.
FBN would have been 19 and 20 years of age respectively at the times of those
incidents. The available material does not indicate why the charges were dropped, and
FBN says he does not remember. FBN says he was drunk on those occasions and does
not recall what happened. When Blue Card Services asked him about the obstruction
incident in 2016, he said that he was highly intoxicated at the time. He added that he
had had binge drinking issues when he got together with friends, and this had resulted
in him getting into trouble.
There is no reason to doubt that FBN engaged in the conduct that gave rise to these
charges. I will proceed on the basis that he did notwithstanding that the charges were
discontinued for reasons unknown.
The other entries on FBN’s criminal history are for cannabis offences. In October
2013, at the age of 20, he committed the offence of possessing a dangerous drug. In
December 2018, at the age of 25, he committed the same offence again, along with
associated offences relating to the possession of a water pipe and a set of digital scales.
On each occasion he pleaded guilty, and convictions were not recorded. He was placed
on good behaviour bonds. On the first occasion he was also required to attend a ‘drug
assessment and education session’.8
The police outline of facts in relation to the 2013 offence indicates that police attended
an apartment in the early hours of the morning in response to a noise complaint. FBN
was variously aggressive, irrational, upset, and cooperative. Police formed the
impression that he was under the influence of drugs. He eventually disclosed that he
had a clip seal bag of cannabis in his shorts. The bag was found to contain 44.4 grams,
which police noted to be a considerable quantity. FBN told police that he needed
cannabis and used it for treating anxiety.
FBN’s evidence to the Tribunal is that he was affected by alcohol at the time, rather
than drugs. He says he had that much cannabis in his possession because quite a
number of people at the social gathering that evening had contributed money to buy
and share it.
The police outline of facts in relation to the 2018 offences indicates that police had
apprehended a drug trafficker. They then carried out searches of the homes of people
identified as associates or customers. One of these searches was of FBN’s home.
Police found two clip seal bags containing a total of between 10 and 11 grams of
cannabis, a pipe, and a set of scales. FBN told police he used the scales to ensure he
received the weight of cannabis he paid for. FBN was cooperative with police.
FBN’s evidence about his personal circumstances and substance use
FBN’s evidence may be summarised as follows.
Family, education and employment
He grew up in a loving household consisting of his parents and older siblings. Drugs
were not used at home, and they were not condoned.
8 Blue Card Services’ bundle of documents, BCS3.
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FBN’s high schooling was somewhat disrupted. He left his first high school after
middle school. He was not enjoying the strong academic focus of the school. He then
tried one high school and then another in year ten, but he still did not find a good fit.
He ended up finding a small school which he liked. He finished his last two years of
schooling there.
He then took a break from study for a couple of years before starting university
studies. He left his first course after one year because he was not enjoying it. He started
a restaurant job in December 2013, which he kept until the restaurant closed in January
2019. Meanwhile, in 2014 he started an education degree, which he has enjoyed. He
has taken leave of absence since the middle of 2019 because he needs a blue card to
undertake the two remaining practical placements required to finish his course. Since
February 2019 he has had employment at a bottle shop. He increased his hours after
he ceased studying. He works five days per week.
He lives alone. He has maintained a close relationship with his parents and siblings.
His parents, while disapproving of his offending, are compassionate enough to remain
supportive of him.
Mental health and substance use
When he was in year nine at school, he saw a psychiatrist several times over a period
of about three months. The psychiatrist diagnosed anxiety. FBN did not require
medication or time off school.
When he was in year 10, the police found him and some friends smoking cannabis.
They took him home and informed his parents, but did not charge him. He attended a
drug diversion session.
When he was about 18, he discovered that cannabis could help reduce anxiety.
However, treating anxiety has not been the ‘primary component’ of his use. He used
cannabis sporadically or in social interactions. Between October 2013 (when the first
drug charge was laid) and December 2018 (when the later drug charges were laid),
his pattern of cannabis use was as follows. After the first charge, he attended a drug
education session as part of his good behaviour bond and then abstained from
consumption for several months before resuming use. There were then further periods
of abstinence, variously of several weeks or several months, until 2018. When he was
not abstinent, he was smoking cannabis two or three times per week. There might
have been some weeks when he smoked up to five times. Usage increased prior to the
2018 charges in the sense that he was smoking at about the two to three times per
week level and he did not have those periods of abstinence.
After the second set of charges, and before he was sentenced, he attended a session
with a psychologist, Associate Professor James Freeman. He learned mindfulness
strategies including a breathing technique that helps with anxiety and sleep. After he
was sentenced, he attended another drug education session, with a different
practitioner, as part of his good behaviour bond. He avoided members of his peer
group who were a negative influence. However, there have been approximately ten
occasions since the December 2018 charges when he has smoked cannabis. These
occasions have not been at home, and they have not involved cannabis that he has
purchased. Rather, they have been at private social gatherings when someone has
handed around a joint. This use has not been for controlling anxiety.
He is not addicted to or otherwise reliant on cannabis. His use of the drug has not
impacted on his studies, practical teaching placements, or work. He would not use
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cannabis in a way that would affect his work performance or his care of children. He
did not, for example, need time off during the practical placements. He cannot recall
if he was totally abstinent during those periods.
He has not used other illegal drugs, but he has used alcohol. He started drinking
socially at 18, though he had tried alcohol before that. He continues to drink socially
and will sometimes have a beer or two after work. There have been occasions when
he has consumed large amounts of alcohol, such as on the evening when he was
charged with the obstruction offence.
He would not drink excessively on a night before he was to teach, because he knows
that his performance would be affected.
On Australia Day in 2020 he drank an excessive amount. This was soon after he learnt
that his blue card application had been rejected. He became argumentative with
friends. He felt ashamed of his behaviour. He discussed with his girlfriend whether he
should see a counsellor about anxiety and to guard against the possibility of alcohol
addiction, and he decided to see one. He then saw a psychologist for three sessions.
The psychologist assisted him with wellbeing techniques which were useful. The
psychologist did not recommend ongoing therapy, but made it clear that the clinic is
available to assist again if required.
After the experiences of being charged with drug offences and participating in the
current proceeding, he realises that further drug use is not worth it, as it can jeopardise
his goal of becoming a teacher.
FBN’s response to a hypothetical scenario
I asked FBN how he might handle a hypothetical situation where he was a volunteer
supervisor at a church youth camp and, alone, discovered some teenage children
smoking cannabis at night. FBN said that because cannabis is illegal, he would have
to involve the police. He would pass on to them any information or cannabis. He also
would inform the parents and the camp organisers.
I then asked FBN why he would involve the police, as he had been at parties where
there was cannabis but not informed police. He responded that by going through the
current Tribunal proceeding, he has now realised the impact of cannabis use. So he
would, in future, remove himself from such a situation, or involve police.
Other evidence about FBN’s circumstances
FBN has provided detailed assessment reports about his performance in the three
practical placements he has undertaken at high schools as part of his university course.
The first two placements were in 2017, and they were each of two weeks’ duration.
The third was for four weeks, ending in November 2018. The reports are highly
favourable, describing for example excellent preparation, adaptability,
professionalism, and ability to handle any challenging student behaviours in a calm
and appropriate manner. In the vast majority of the areas of competency that were
assessed, FBN achieved the most favourable score, ‘Well Developed’. He always
achieved that score in the area ‘Managing Effectively – Create safe and supportive
learning environments’.
There is no suggestion in the reports that FBN was affected by intoxicating substances,
or that he displayed signs of demotivation or other possible side-effects of drug use.
Indeed, the results would not have been achieved by someone so affected.
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Descriptions such as being ‘most professional in his dealings with students’9 indicate
that FBN must have been a good role model for students.
FBN also provided a reference from a restaurant owner, addressed to the magistrate
sentencing FBN on the December 2018 drug offences. According to the reference,
FBN was a restaurant manager who had worked for the company for five years and
was an ‘exemplary employee’.
The reference is unsigned, but I accept it as genuine in light of my overall favourable
assessment of FBN’s integrity, as discussed below, and the consistency, in broad
terms, between the content of the reference and the content of the practical placement
reports.
Should FBN’s evidence be accepted?
Mr Taylor acknowledges that FBN has provided some supporting evidence, but he
notes the lack of other supporting evidence such as a report from a psychologist or
statements by family members. Mr Taylor submits that in the absence of such
supporting evidence, I should not accept evidence given by FBN on matters such as
whether he is drug dependent and whether he has good family support. Mr Taylor also
points to some lack of clarity and consistency in FBN’s oral evidence about the
frequency of his drug use at various times.
Mr Taylor also points to previous indications given by FBN that he had put his drug
use behind him. In response to a question from Blue Card Services in May 2016 about
whether he still used drugs, FBN said that he does not use drugs, adding that he was
too busy with university and work. In the March 2019 submissions it was said that
the December 2018 charges had been an ‘enormous “wake-up” call’10 for FBN.
Further:
He is acutely aware that involvement with illicit substances is entirely
inconsistent with the standards of professionalism and responsibility
appropriately expected of him as an education student (and the standards that
will be expected of a qualified teacher).
…
[FBN] used the negative experience of being charged with offences as a catalyst
for his ‘line in the sand’ with regard to cannabis.11
…
[FBN] regrets his previous use of cannabis. He appreciates that drugs are a
scourge on society, and that his former life is inconsistent with his career
ambition.12
Mr Taylor notes that it is apparent from FBN’s oral evidence that the line in the sand
has been repeatedly breached.
I accept that there was some lack of clarity, and possible inconsistencies, in FBN’s
account of his drug use. However, taking into account that FBN may have been
confused by some of the questions, and that precision would be difficult in describing
9 Blue Card Services’ bundle of documents, BCS49.
10 Ibid, BCS40.
11 Ibid.
12 Ibid, BCS41.
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variable frequency of drug use over an extended period, I do not regard him as having
been evasive in his answers.
It is notable that FBN gave evidence of drug use well beyond what he has been
charged with. While he might have been unable to plausibly deny past habitual drug
use in light of some of the comments made in the March 2019 submissions, the same
cannot be said of any use since December 2018. FBN gave evidence of such use, even
though he could have denied it with probably little risk of detection. Alternatively, he
could have claimed privilege against self-incrimination, which he knew was an option,
but he did not. This frankness reflects well on his credibility. FBN’s candour about
other topics, such as his struggles at high school and his unsociable behaviour on
Australia Day, is also impressive.
Having regard to his candour, and the responsive way in which FBN answered
questions in his oral evidence, I accept his account of his upbringing, family,
employment and studies. I also accept his evidence about the frequency of his alcohol
and drug use, and his participation in drug awareness sessions and counselling.
In evaluating FBN’s responses to questions about how he might handle a situation
involving children using drugs, some caution must of course be exercised. FBN was
asked about a hypothetical situation, and he has not yet been put to real tests of this
nature. Nonetheless, as Ms O'Gorman submits, it is commonplace for people to adhere
to social norms in their professional roles, where they are subject to legal or ethical
obligations, even though they may be more relaxed in their private lives. She cited the
example of young teachers who drink excessively on the weekend but would
unhesitatingly enforce consequences at a school camp for students found with alcohol.
While FBN has demonstrated a persistent disregard for the law against cannabis, I do
not consider that he has a generalised disregard for the law and social norms. His other
charges were matters of youthful indiscretion. In the current proceeding, he
demonstrated respect for the law by giving evidence about his drug use that was
against his interests. I do not consider that there is a risk that he would encourage or
turn a blind eye to drug use or other illegal activity by children.
FBN says that he is not dependent on cannabis. His more recent use has been only
occasional: consistent with recreational rather than dependent use. It may therefore be
reasonable to accept FBN’s self-assessment that he does not have a dependency
problem. On the other hand, he has a history of quite frequent use up to late 2018.
Since then, he has continued to use cannabis from time to time. He also became
concerned enough about the risk of alcohol addiction in early 2020 to seek
professional assistance. A future relapse into increased cannabis use, particularly at
times of stress, cannot be ruled out as fanciful. Greater confidence in FBN’s resolve
to lastingly put cannabis behind him could only come after some sustained period of
abstinence, perhaps coupled with a psychological or similar assessment.
Submissions on behalf of FBN on whether there is an exceptional case
Ms O'Gorman submits that FBN’s case is not exceptional. The scheme of the Working
with Children Act is that a conviction for a ‘serious offence’ will result in a negative
notice unless there is an exceptional case, reflecting the inherent risk to children in
those offences. One example is supplying dangerous drugs, as drugs once supplied
could end up anywhere including in the hands of children or being consumed in front
of children. Convictions for offences such as possession of dangerous drugs, in
contrast, are ones in respect of which a person is nonetheless entitled to a positive
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notice unless an exceptional case exists. This reflects a recognition by Parliament that
such offences are not inherently risky to children. For there to be an exceptional case,
something extraordinary removing the case from the normal rule would have to exist:
Commissioner for Children and Young People and Child Guardian v Maher & Anor.13
There would have to be some real link between the offending and a risk of harm to
children, not merely some remote or fanciful link.
Nothing in FBN’s past offending, or even any future similar offending, presents a risk
to children. He has a close and supportive family in which drug use is not condoned:
this is a prosocial, protective factor. He has been frank and forthright in his evidence.
He is highly motivated to achieve his goal of becoming a teacher. Like many young
people, he has used intoxicating substances, including an illegal drug, but not to an
extent that has impacted on his work, his studies, or the practical placements. His more
recent use of cannabis has been only occasional, and during a period when he has
mainly been engaged in casual employment in a bottle shop. There is no reason to
suppose that in any work with children he would be affected by substances or that he
would model inappropriate conduct. His experience in the present proceeding has
brought into sharp focus that continued use of cannabis can jeopardise his career.
Submissions on behalf of Blue Card Services on whether there is an exceptional
case
Mr Taylor submits that FBN’s case is exceptional. Blue card holders occupy a position
of trust and authority over children, who are reliant on their judgment. Children have
a right to be cared for in a way that promotes their wellbeing.
The Tribunal should be cautious in extrapolating from the practical placement reports.
The placements constitute short periods during which FBN ‘could keep it together’,
but in a heavily-supervised, high-stakes setting where FBN was aware he was being
monitored and assessed. With a blue card, FBN could work in a totally unsupervised
setting with children of any age or vulnerability. Blue cards cannot be issued with
conditions.
FBN’s offending includes recent offences, but he has used drugs much more than his
criminal history indicates. His drug offending has continued even after the 2018
offences. FBN has previously said that he had stopped using drugs, but he then
returned to using them. There is no evidence of successful treatment preventing
relapse. Children have the right not to be exposed to drugs and to be cared for by
people whose judgment is not impaired by drugs. A person who uses drugs is an
inappropriate role model for children. The Tribunal observed in CW v Chief Executive,
Public Safety Business Agency14 that it can be harmful for children to become aware
that people whom they respect do not obey the law. This is confusing for children as
they try to develop a sense of right and wrong.
Human rights
Mr Taylor also drew my attention to the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld), commenting
that there may be rights of FBN that are relevant, as well as the right of a child to the
protection needed by the child, and which is in the child’s best interests, because of
13 [2004] QCA 492, [35].
14 [2015] QCAT 219, [67].
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being a child.15 The only relevant right of FBN that I can discern is his right to have
the current proceeding decided by a competent, independent and impartial tribunal
after a fair and public hearing.16 However, there is a specific provision in the Working
with Children Act which requires a hearing in a child-related employment review to
be held in private.17 A child’s right to protection is reflected in the provisions of the
Working with Children Act which are summarised in paragraphs 9 to 12 above.
Other cases involving drug use
Ms O'Gorman and Mr Taylor also discussed some decided cases where people who
had been convicted of drug offences were, or were not, successful in gaining blue
cards. I do not propose to canvass those cases in these reasons. The factual
circumstances were different, and any relevant statements of principle in those cases
are not dissimilar to observations made in these reasons.
Is FBN’s an exceptional case?
In relation to FBN’s criminal history, I have earlier described the offending
behaviours that resulted in charges, some of which were discontinued and the others
of which resulted in pleas of guilty. None of the offences were ‘serious’ or
‘disqualifying’ as defined in the Working with Children Act. The penalties imposed
by the Courts were good behaviour bonds, with a requirement to attend drug diversion
on at least one of the occasions. I am required to consider the reasons why the Court
did not impose an imprisonment order.18 I do not have the sentencing remarks, but
they are the sort of offences for which imprisonment would never be contemplated
except in the case of very persistent reoffending. The earlier offending conduct
occurred when FBN was quite young, but the 2018 offending is relatively recent and
it was committed when FBN was in his mid-20s.
Drunkenness, disorderliness, and illicit drug use, especially heavy drug use, can have
relevance to child-related employment, as articulated by Mr Taylor.
FBN’s offending behaviour that resulted in the drunk and disorderly charge and the
obstruction charge does not, in my view, have any enduring relevance to child-related
employment. It was immature behaviour similar to that engaged in by many people
who go on to have responsible careers. Similarly, occasional past use of illegal drugs
by a young person would not necessarily give rise to significant concern about how
that person would interact with children.
FBN, however, was not merely an occasional user. He used quite frequently over
several years. Even after the 2018 charges, he continued to use occasionally. FBN has
a supportive family, and he has been prepared to seek professional assistance in times
of need. However, those factors were also present in the past when he chose to use
drugs. It may be that now, facing the real risk of his career plans being halted or at
least delayed, he can and will stick to a resolve to discontinue use. He may be able to
do this without ongoing counselling. However, until such time as he has demonstrated
sustained abstinence, the risk remains of relapse into heavier use. While I accept that
even then he would not encourage children to use drugs, or use drugs in front of them,
I consider that there is a risk of impaired judgment.
15 Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld), s 26(2).
16 Ibid, s 31(1).
17 Working with Children Act, s 361(1).
18 Ibid, s 226(2)(a)(v).
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Further, I am mindful that a blue card would enable work in any child-related field in
any place in Queensland. FBN could, for example, work in a small community. If
drug use by FBN– even if only a one-off instance of recreational consumption in that
community – was discovered by police, it is likely that he would be charged and that
his offending would become well-known within the community including to some of
the children in his care.
I am therefore satisfied that FBN’s is an exceptional case in which it would not be in
the best interests of children for a positive notice to be issued.
Request for non-publication order
A non-publication order may be made by the Tribunal if such an order is necessary,
relevantly, in the interests of justice.19
Ms O'Gorman seeks a non-publication order on the basis that convictions were not
recorded for any of FBN’s offending. Accordingly, for most purposes, he is not
required to disclose his offending. This protection would be removed if his case could
receive publicity that identifies him.
As mentioned earlier, a hearing of a child-related employment review must be held in
private. This acknowledges the sensitive nature of information often considered in
such hearings, and lends some support to the idea that the privacy of applicants should
generally be protected.
A consideration not raised by Ms O'Gorman but which I consider relevant is that
reasons issued by the Tribunal are displayed on the internet. They are available for
search by anyone. There is a real prospect that FBN will, in time, achieve his goal of
becoming a teacher. If his identity is published, many future students would easily
discover by an internet search that FBN had habitually used drugs as a young person.
That is information which should not be shared with students, except perhaps in a
controlled way in consultation with the school. Accordingly, I consider it would not
be in the interests of justice for FBN’s identity to be published.
Ms O'Gorman requested that the prohibition extend to searches of the Tribunal’s file.
However, the likelihood of widespread searches is remote. I am not satisfied that
prohibition to that extent is required in the interests of justice.
Conclusion
I confirm the decision of Blue Card Services, and make a non-publication order.
19 QCAT Act, s 66(2)(e).
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Official source: https://www.sclqld.org.au/caselaw/QCAT/2020/260