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 DOCS Class Action involves claims for breaches of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) by the Queensland Department of Child Safety, towards both children who were removed from their families, and parents who had children removed,” the statement said.
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.