Tasmanian inquiry finds discrimination in schools

A two-year Tasmanian parliamentary inquiry has concluded that bullying, discrimination, and harassment are “real and persistent problems” within the state’s schools. The final report of the Inquiry into Discrimination and Bullying in Tasmanian Schools found that LGBTQIA+, First Nations, and disabled students and staff experience discrimination at disproportionate rates.

The inquiry specifically found that Catholic Education Tasmania (CET) discriminated against staff based on sexual orientation and marital status, a finding described as “prima facie” violations of Tasmania’s Anti-Discrimination Act 1998. CET has contested these findings, asserting that its hiring practices comply with the Commonwealth Sex Discrimination Act 1984 and that federal exemptions override state law.

Evidence presented to the committee included testimony regarding senior staff being required to sign contracts agreeing to “live a life according to Catholic moral teaching.” The committee has made 33 recommendations to address these issues, including mandatory teacher training, stronger protections for transgender and gender-diverse students, and a review of state anti-discrimination laws to resolve legal ambiguities between state and Commonwealth legislation.