Tasmania’s peak parent body has called for the reinstatement of a parliamentary inquiry into school bullying that was abruptly terminated by the early state election.
The Tasmanian Association of State School Organisations (TASSO) is urging all political parties to commit to continuing the Inquiry into Discrimination and Bullying in Schools that was established in 2024.
The parliamentary committee’s work came to a premature end when the election was called, leaving hundreds of submissions from affected families without formal acknowledgement.
“The impact of calling an early election on the committee exploring bullying and discrimination in our schools is devastating,” TASSO president John Allan stated.
“Hundreds of Tasmanians shared stories of harm, trauma, and systemic failure, hoping to contribute to lasting, positive change in our schools.”
He said the inquiry had provided many students and families their first opportunity to have traumatic experiences formally recognised.
Without a final report, TASSO believes the broader community has been denied understanding of the full scale of bullying and discrimination issues in Tasmanian schools.
“Students and families re-lived their experience expecting to have their voices heard, that change was possible,” Allan said.
“The work of the committee to date must be shared and continued.”
“We owe it to every student, every family and every staff member who came forward in good faith, often at great emotional cost.”
