First Nations parents and children have launched landmark class actions against the Queensland Government for alleged “systemic failure to reunite families.”

The cases allege the state’s child safety department breached the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 and also allege failure to follow the Child Placement Principle in the Child Protection Act 1999.

The cases will focus on what occurs after children have been removed and entered the system.

Bottoms English Lawyers, Special Council Jerry Tucker is leading the case and says “every one of these stories is shocking and heart breaking but we know there’s so many more out there”.

A spokesperson from the Queensland government told The Wire ‘We are aware of this matter which is before the Federal Court, and it would be inappropriate for us to comment at this stage.’

Produced By: Emma Wotzke

Featured In Story: Jerry Tucker – Special Council at Bottoms English Lawyers

First aired on The Wire, Friday 1 December 2023