Senate debates

Thursday, 27 October 2022

Committees

Education and Employment References Committee; Reference

12:03 pm

Photo of Penny Allman-PaynePenny Allman-Payne (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | | Hansard source

I move:

That the following matter be referred to the Education and Employment References Committee for inquiry and report by 22 March 2023:

The national trend of school refusal or 'School Can't'—as distinct from truancy—that is affecting primary and secondary school aged children, who are unable to attend school regularly or on a consistent basis, with specific reference to:

(a) the increasing number since the COVID-19 pandemic, of young people and their families who are experiencing school refusal;

(b) how school refusal is affecting young people and their families and the impacts it is having on the employment and financial security of parents and carers;

(c) the impacts and demands of the increasing case load on service providers and schools to support these students and their families;

(d) how relevant state, territory and federal departments are working to monitor and address this growing school refusal challenge; and

(e) any other related matters.

Question agreed to.