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MEDIA RELEASE
Commissioners welcome Inquiry into Discrimination and Bullying in Tasmanian Schools report
Thursday 20 August 2026
Tasmania’s Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, Sally Sievers, and Tasmanian Disability Commissioner, Catherine Whitington, have welcomed the release of the long-awaited Inquiry into Discrimination and Bullying in Tasmanian Schools report.
Commissioner Sievers describes the report as an important opportunity to improve the educational experiences of all Tasmanian students.
"The report reinforces the importance of ensuring that children and young people can learn, participate and thrive at school free from bullying, discrimination and exclusion," Commissioner Sievers said.
"The Inquiry heard directly from students, families and communities about the prevalence of discrimination in school settings and the significant harm it causes. For some young people, these experiences can have lifelong consequences, affecting their educational engagement, wellbeing and future opportunities."
Commissioner Sievers said that, as the Inquiry found, discrimination and bullying are often experienced disproportionately by some groups of students, including students with disability, LGBTIQA+ young people, particularly transgender and gender diverse students, and increasingly, the Office of the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner is receiving reports of students experiencing racism.
"No child should feel unsafe, unwelcome or less valued because of who they are."
Commissioner Sievers welcomed the report's recommendations and said the Office of the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner looked forward to working with the Tasmanian Government and the Department for Education, Children and Young People to support their implementation.
"Many of the recommendations engage the role and functions of the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner. We look forward to working constructively with government, schools and the broader community to help create safer, more inclusive learning environments for all students."
Commissioner Sievers also noted the Inquiry's finding that Tasmania's anti-discrimination laws apply to all schools in the State.
"The Anti-Discrimination Act 1998 applies to all Tasmanian schools. While the Act contains limited exceptions, schools seeking to rely on those exceptions must be able to demonstrate that they apply in the particular circumstances."
"The protections in the Act are designed to balance competing rights and interests while ensuring that students and staff are protected from unlawful discrimination."
Tasmania’s Disability Commissioner, Catherine Whitington, said that while many children and young people with disability are in mainstream educational settings, it is important that all schools are supported to ensure these environments are safe and inclusive for them.
“A conversation with a young person with disability and their family can help schools understand their needs and put the right supports in place to ensure they can belong and thrive at school,” Disability Commissioner Whitington said.
“In addition to the functions of the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, if someone is concerned that a young person with disability is at risk of violence, abuse, neglect, coercion or exploitation in school settings, they can reach out to Disability Commissioner Tasmania.”
Commissioner Sievers said the report provides a valuable roadmap for creating more inclusive school communities.
"This report presents an opportunity for Tasmania to strengthen a culture of respect, inclusion and belonging in every school. Every child deserves the chance to learn, develop and reach their full potential in an environment where they feel safe, supported and valued."
Media Contacts
Anti-Discrimination Commissioner: office@antidiscrimination.tas.gov.au |
03 6165 7515
Disability Commissioner Tasmania: contact@disabilitycommissioner.tas.gov.au |
03 6270 5500
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