Millions of Aussies will soon be affected by sweeping reforms to Queensland's blue card system amid a crackdown on childcare 'predators'.
Under the new laws, more Queenslanders working in child-related roles, including entertainment venues, amusement parks, sports clubs, churches, educational services, and even the legal profession, will need a blue card.
Parent volunteers will also face new rules, and new self-disclosure requirements will be introduced as part of the laws, which come into effect on September 20.
A new criminal offence will target adults in positions of authority who engage in sexual conduct with 16 or 17-year-olds under their care or supervision.
While these young people are above the age of consent, which is 16 in Queensland, the new offence recognises the power imbalance and aims to deter abuse.
Offenders could face up to 14 years in prison.
Additionally, the existing offence of 'repeated sexual conduct with a child' will now apply to adults in positions of authority over 16 and 17-year-olds, with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Victims of sexual violence will also benefit from stronger protections.
Under the reforms, non-contact orders will be extended from two to five years to better protect children.
Breaching these orders will now carry harsher penalties, including up to three years in prison or fines similar to those under domestic and family violence orders.
Authorities will also be given new powers to act quickly when a child is at risk.
A suspension power will allow immediate action to be taken, preventing individuals from working with children while investigations are underway.
Transitional arrangements will be in place to give affected workers and organisations time to comply with the new requirements.
Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said the reforms are designed to give parents greater confidence that their children are safe in the community.
'These reforms mean that some people who were previously exempt may now be required to hold a blue card, but we make no apologies for doing whatever it takes to protect our kids,' Frecklington said.
'Parents want absolute confidence that everything possible is being done to keep their children safe when they drop them at sports clubs, birthday parties, or amusement parks.'
Queensland's Labor Opposition has supported the government's new laws but criticised the government for failing to fully implement all 28 recommendations made by the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council (QSAC).
The recommendations stem from QSAC's 2023 report, which followed a 19-month review into how offenders in sexual violence cases are sentenced in Queensland.
The report called for major reforms, including limiting the use of 'good character' evidence, recognising victim harm as a key factor in sentencing, and treating offences against children as aggravating circumstances.
The changes follow a series of disturbing child abuse cases that sent shockwaves around the nation and exposed critical gaps in Australia's child safety systems.
Ashley Paul Griffith, described as one of Australia's worst paedophiles, was sentenced to life imprisonment after pleading guilty to over 300 offences committed in childcare centres in Brisbane and Italy over nearly two decades.
His crimes prompted the Queensland Government to launch a full-scale review into the state's child protection and blue card systems.