Queensland’s New Education Minister faces tough road ahead

Queensland’s New Education Minister faces tough road ahead

Last week, Queensland ushered in a new government when the state’s new Premier, David Crisafulli, announced his cabinet.

John-Paul Langbroek, who previously served as Education Minister in the Liberal National Party Government from 2012 to 2015, was named Minister for Education and the Arts, taking on a portfolio that promises no shortage of challenges heading into the new year.

A recent survey found half of Queensland’s teachers and leaders say managing disruptive classrooms is distracting them from their core job of teaching, while 35% say contacting and responding to parents is a significant burden.

Other reports highlight the seriousness of resourcing issues, with The McKell Institute Queensland's ‘Bridging the Gap’ report recommending increased needs-based funding to address worsening student outcomes across the state.

However, the peak body for the state’s private school sector, Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ), said Langbroek’s wealth of experience and demonstrated willingness to work with key education stakeholders bodes well.

“[Langbroek’s] previous experience and proven track record of working constructively across all sectors of education will be invaluable as we continue to strive for excellence in education for the benefit of all students in Queensland,” ISQ Chief Executive Officer, Chris Mountford, said.

“As our state experiences unprecedented population growth, it is crucial that we work together to ensure that our education system can meet this increasing demand and the expectations of a growing number of Queensland parents who are choosing independent schools for their children.”

However, just days into the job, Langbroek and Crisafulli face a backlash over the decision to abolish the state's Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry and repeal the Path to Treaty Act, enacted in May 2023 to establish a legislative framework to advance reconciliation between the Queensland Government and First Nations peoples.

The Independent Education Union – Queensland and Northern Territory (IEU-QNT) has called the decision “utterly shameful”.

“It is an utterly shameful decision to halt the inquiry and devastating for First Nations communities to have this long-awaited opportunity for truth, justice and healing revoked,” IEU-QNT branch secretary, Terry Burke, said.

“First Nations Peoples are yet again having their voices silenced and histories denied. If you take issue with the truth being told, you have a serious problem.”

Another controversy facing the new Education Minister is his vow to scrap pill testing at Schoolies events on the Gold Coast following the previous government’s plans to implement the scheme.

Langbroek argues pill testing sends the wrong message to young people.

“I know this is a very complex issue. Schoolies is such a big part of my electorate,” Langbroek said. “I believe it sends the message that doing some sort of drugs is okay and I don't believe doing drugs is okay at all.”