The State Government will now make blue card applications available online, speed up processing times and close a loophole allowing people to work with children before their application is finalised.

But Traeger MP Robbie Katter said the new changes will not solve employment issues in the north west. 

Mr Katter said many people in remote communities want to work but are being knocked back from blue card applications because of offences they committed decades ago – which were not child related.

“It will break your heart going up to Doomadgee and seeing people who want to get a job but cannot get a blue card and the majority of jobs in these communities require a blue card,” Mr Katter said. 

“If mum and dad are out of a job, they often turn to alcohol and that is putting kids more at risk. 

“We need to give these people an opportunity to move forward,” he said. 

Mr Katter said blue cards are the biggest barrier to employment in remote communities.

He said the decision whether or not to let someone work with children should be placed in the hands of community leaders. 

“The government needs to do something about this but I think they are just scared the LNP will say they are soft on crime,” Mr Katter said. 

“It is not about lowering the bar of child safety but letting people in the community decide who should work with kids.”

Attorney General Yvette D’Ath said her number one priority was the protection of children and ensuring there is adequate screening of those working with children.

But Mr Katter said many of the jobs requiring a blue card do not relate only to children.

“If you are a builder in Doomadgee and you are trying to get a job with QBAS—one of the only forms of employment there—because they work in schools and hospitals, you need a blue card,” he said.