Queensland school leaders, teachers and community representatives have gathered in Cairns for the state’s second regional anti-bullying roundtable, as part of a broader strategy to strengthen behaviour management and student wellbeing across schools.
The forum, led by Chair of the Queensland Anti-Bullying Expert Advisory Panel, Professor Donna Pendergast AM, brought together education stakeholders to discuss local approaches to preventing and responding to bullying.
It follows an inaugural roundtable held in Rockhampton in May and is one of a series of regional forums planned for Townsville, the Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba later this year.
Queensland Minister for Education John-Paul Langbroek said the forums were designed to develop practical, community-informed solutions to improve school culture and student safety.
“Today’s roundtable was about bringing together the voices of our community to develop practical, local solutions to tackle bullying and create safer, more inclusive environments for our children,” he said.
Langbroek said the initiative aligns with the recommendations of the Australian Government’s 2025 Anti-Bullying Rapid Review, which called for a collaborative approach involving schools, families and the wider community.
The regional forums form part of Queensland’s wider investment in behaviour support and student wellbeing announced through the state’s 2026-27 Education Budget.
Measures already being rolled out include:
- the establishment of Rapid Support Teams to provide specialist assistance to schools,
- the creation of the Queensland Anti-Bullying Expert Advisory Panel,
- additional funding for chaplains and student wellbeing staff,
- expanded professional development resources for educators,
- and enhanced parent support services through Parentline.
The government has also launched a statewide awareness campaign aimed at helping parents and carers better understand available anti-bullying initiatives.
According to the Queensland Government, schools are also receiving additional workplace health and safety support, including 169 new coordinators across the state, with 30 dedicated to special schools.
Further regional anti-bullying forums are scheduled to be held in Townsville, the Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba during 2026.
