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KNIFE ATTACKS CONFIRMS NEED FOR BULLYING INQUIRY

Press Releases February 17 2010

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Family First Leader Senator Steve Fielding says recent knife attacks linked to bullying in schools is further evidence of the need for an urgent inquiry into bullying.

“No time should be wasted in getting the parliamentary inquiry into bullying underway,” Senator Fielding said.

“If we don’t start to address this serious issue, we’re going to end up like the US where school stabbings occur more frequently.

“There is no doubt more needs to be done by the Government in the area of bullying with more and more evidence of just how bad it’s getting.

In NSW almost 400 students have been suspended for carrying a knife, firearm or weapon to school.

“There is no doubt some students are carrying weapons for safety and that’s a sad thing.

“Schools should be a safe place for our kids and we need to work out ways to stamp out bullying early in a child’s development.

“This is an area where the Federal Government can make a difference. Whether it’s through legislation, social marketing campaigns, greater training for teachers or more research the Commonwealth can make a difference.”

Senator Fielding says the Rudd Government is dragging its feet on a set of terms of reference for an inquiry into bullying which was authored by leading adolescent psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg.

“There’s no excuse to delay an inquiry into bullying any longer. Family First has given the government some terms of reference drawn up by Dr Michael Carr Greg and now is the time for action.”