When Parents Raise Concerns About Bullying, Schools Must Listen and Act
The Issue
Parents and carers are often the first people to recognise when bullying is seriously affecting their child.
They see the anxiety.
They see their child feeling sick before school.
They see the fear of returning.
They see the withdrawal, the loss of confidence and the changes in behaviour.
They know when something is wrong.
The issue this petition seeks to address is what happens when parents take those concerns to a school and do not feel heard, listened to or adequately responded to.
A parent should not have to repeatedly tell a school:
“My child is being bullied.”
“My child is frightened to go to school.”
“My child is changing.”
“My child is not coping.”
and still be left wondering what has been done.
When those concerns are not properly heard and the bullying continues, it can become increasingly difficult for the affected child to return to school and feel safe.
The child may be expected to return to the same environment where they experienced the bullying while still carrying the fear and emotional effects of what happened.
They may become anxious about attending school.
They may feel physically sick.
They may avoid school altogether.
They may struggle to concentrate and learn because they are worried about what will happen next.
And they may begin to believe that speaking up has not made them safer.
This can place the burden on the child who has been bullied, rather than ensuring the adults responsible for responding to the concern take meaningful action.
Under the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld), every child has the right to access primary and secondary education appropriate to their needs.
A child should not effectively lose access to their education because bullying has made them feel unsafe and their parents' concerns have not resulted in an adequate response.
That is the issue Maddie’s Law seeks to address.
When a parent raises concerns that bullying is harming their child, those concerns must be heard and they must lead to action.

Maddie's story. This proposal begins with one young life, remembered with love. Maddie was a bright, caring person with a vibrant personality who loved deeply and dreamed of her future. Like many young people, she wanted to feel safe and accepted at school. Instead, she experienced bullying that affected her confidence well-being, and sense of belonging. Over time, those who knew her noticed changes: mornings became difficult, attending classes grew harder, and her once bright energy dimmed. Her family sought to support her, and when she moved schools they hoped for a fresh start. Yet, the impact of those experiences did not simply disappear Her story reminds us that bullying can leave lasting scars, even when incidents are no longer visible. This proposal does not suggest that bullying alone explains every tragic outcome. Mental health and suicide are complex and influenced by many factors. However, persistent bullying is recognised as a serious risk factor. That is why Maddy's Law emphasises early recognition of warning signs, consistent support, clear communication with families, and structured recovery planning. Honouring her means focusing on practical measures that may help other students feel seen, supported and safe to recover. Her legacy is a call to strengthen recognition, response, and recovery for every child.