A class action alleging racist child removals could have wider ripples

Matt Dennien reports in the Brisbane Times (27.11.23) on a class action brought against Queensland’s Department of Child Safety based on ‘complaints from hundreds of First Nations families about discriminatory experiences’ involving the removal of children into state and foster care.

‘There was a significant, but quiet, development in Queensland this month likely to have far-reaching implications beyond the two traumatic and personal stories of child removals and hidden family histories driving it.

‘“Child protection class action launched alleging racial discrimination,” the headline of a post on the Cairns-based Bottoms English Lawyers website read two weeks ago.

‘The fledgling case hinges on two elements: the treatment of First Nations children, and their parents, within the Queensland system.

‘… The action also claims the department failed to adhere to placement principles in the Child Protection Act 1999 meant to prioritise placement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children with their family where this was safe.’

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