MP queries CCC torture probe

Whistleblowers are being punished while questions to the CCC about startling allegations in the state’s education department remain unanswered

Shadow Education Minister Dr Christian Rowan wants the Crime and Corruption Commission to say what progress it has made in investigations into alleged criminal malpractice and computer hacking in the Queensland Department of Education.

It follows his revelations in Parliament that a Gold Coast teacher tortured two young teenage students and forced two others to settle a squabble with a fist fight.

Rowan told the House the education department branch that investigates integrity breaches was itself guilty of corruptly covering up the shocking criminal behaviour.

And two whistleblowers who worked in the department were improperly punished for asking why the teacher escaped prosecution. He was transferred to a Brisbane school.

Parliament heard the department’s Integrity and Employee Relations Unit fabricated evidence and covered up wrongdoing and nepotism.

Shadow Education Minister Dr Christian Rowan wants the CCC to reveal its progress into alleged criminal malpractice investigatons. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

He said he wrote to the CCC five months ago and has not received a reply nor been asked for further details.

Rowan said the incidents detailed by the whistleblowers left him “deeply shocked and gravely concerned”.

“I do not take this step lightly in raising these matters in the Queensland parliament. Allegations from the two complainants included workplace bullying, maladministration, nepotism and cover-ups within the Department of Education specifically related to complaints about teachers that were effectively dismissed without due process and investigation.

“I am very concerned about the specific allegations of alleged criminal conduct, including the fabrication of evidence, hacking and reprisal action against public servants.

“One specific allegation that shocked me, and one that would equally shock all Queensland parents, was a case of a teacher allegedly committing a heinous act against several students.

“The teacher allegedly admitted to forcing children into inappropriate physical acts including forcing students to squat in a corner as a punishment for simply talking.

“The public servant who was a senior investigator within the Department of Education spoke to the Office of the Human Rights Commission about this specific allegation, and it was confirmed that the actions of the teacher were an act of torture and should be addressed accordingly.’’

Allegations from two complainants included workplace bullying, maladministration, nepotism and cover-ups. Picture: Joe Castro/generic

The allegations came to light after a Gold Coast mother complained her grade seven son came home with eye and facial bruises after the impromptu fight club bout.

“It was reported to me that no reprisal action was taken against the teacher by the Department of Education and, when the investigator pursued the issue, he was put on a performance management plan and reprisal action commenced against this public servant,” Rowan told Parliament.

Rowan said he was approached by two former members from the Integrity and Employee Relations Unit who complained their investigations were blocked.

The pair were former policemen with distinguished records, and they have copious documents to back their claims.

Rowan said the pair made a formal Public Interest Disclosure via his office after he sought the advice of the Clerk of the Parliament, Neil Laurie, who referred to Guidelines for the Protection of Whistleblowers in the parliamentary standing orders.

Rowan said he then took the unusual step of making a formal complaint to the CCC.

Up to 12 students gave witness statements confirming the fights and the squatting punishments that happened about 12 months apart in 2019-20. But the CCC has not reached out for them.

Clerk of Parliament Neil Laurie. Picture: Dan Peled

Rowan told the House the two senior investigators had “documented examples of bullying and provided evidence of departmental procedures not being followed, as well as further references of computer hacking and material breaches of code of conduct and relevant standards by senior executives within the Department of Education”.

He added: “These allegations are deeply disturbing, yet they are only the latest in a long line of serious workplace cultural and management issues that have beset the Department of Education under the Queensland state Labor government. “Hundreds of thousands of Queensland parents, students, teachers and staff entrust the Queensland state government to operate the Department of Education in a manner which ensures that the highest standards are met and maintained and where the safety of students, teachers and employees of the Department of Education are paramount.

“It is absolutely clear that the state Labor government is failing to deliver the world-class education system that Queenslanders deserve.’’

Rowan said he was also concerned “the principles of natural justice and welfare (are) not being afforded to public servants who seek public interest disclosure or whistleblower status”.

He said the two whistleblowers had “formed the view that the Labor state government is losing control of the education system”.

And when they raised their concerns about ethical and potentially criminal breaches, their superiors turned on them. I’m told the Integrity and Employee Relations Unit receives about 4000 complaints of wrongdoing or suspected wrongdoing each year involving everything from assaults, theft and sexual misconduct. About 1800 of the complaints are referred to investigators.