Labor is strengthening School Community Safety Orders to better protect staff and school communities. 

Member for Melton Steve McGhie today announced the Allan Labor Government’s legislation to strengthen and simplify the School Community Safety Order Scheme. 

It’s about making schools in Melton safe places to learn and work, with consequences when those expectations are not met. 

It allows principals to ban adults from school grounds, related places or from contacting school staff.

It also makes it easier to act against harmful behaviour on social media, messaging and other online platforms. 

These reforms recognise that abuse doesn’t stop at the school gate. 

The changes follow an independent statutory review and targeted consultation with the school sector and community. 

Feedback was clear – staff want stronger protections especially against online abuse. 

Reforms will also simplify how and when immediate orders can be issued, cutting red tape and making the Scheme easier to use. 

Further changes will streamline the system making it more effective for principals while maintaining fairness for those subject to orders. 

Introduced in 2022, the Scheme is a last resort tool to manage the risk posed by a small minority of adults who engage in harmful, threatening or abusive behaviour. 

School Community Safety Orders will remain a last resort, used only when other options have failed or are not appropriate. 

Labor is backing teachers and school staff with record investment in safe and respectful workplaces, including $63.8 million for employee mental health and wellbeing support. 

Quotes attributable to Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll 

“We’re backing our teachers and school leaders with stronger powers to keep their communities safe.” 

“Everyone deserves to feel safe at work and at school – and we have zero tolerance for abuse, including online.” 

Quotes attributable to Member for Melton Steve McGhie

“Teachers and school staff in Melton deserve a safe and respectful school environment – these stronger powers help make that a reality.” 

“Families in Melton expect safe schools, and that’s exactly what Labor is delivering.”