Victorian President's Report

Over the past week, and particularly in recent days, there has been significant media attention and public discourse surrounding the Enhanced Bail Conditions pilot program, which required repeat bail offenders aged 14–18 to wear ankle bracelets in school settings. Understandably, this has generated considerable concern, both due to the lack of consultation with the education sector and the difficult position it placed school staff in as they work to maintain safe and secure learning environments.

The APF has been unwavering in its advocacy on this matter, as articulated in our public statement and expressed via numerous media outlets. Our position has never been about denying young offenders access to education or the opportunity for rehabilitation and reintegration. Rather, it has been about ensuring that the rights and safety of all individuals within a school community are upheld, striking an appropriate balance between rehabilitation efforts and the broader duty of care owed to students and staff.

Yesterday, Minister Carroll announced that the pilot program will be discontinued, with alternative learning options to be explored. The APF welcomes this decision and commends the Minister for recognising the legitimate concerns raised by the APF. This outcome highlights the importance of genuine consultation and evidence-based policymaking in ensuring that initiatives aimed at rehabilitation do not come at the expense of school safety.

We commend Minister Carroll for his responsiveness and decisive action in halting the pilot. This entire matter highlights the critical need for genuine consultation and engagement on issues that directly affect the principal class and, more broadly, schools. Such consultation is not merely a matter of engagement but a stipulated requirement, as outlined in the VGSA 2022.

This issue and related concerns should never have been addressed in the public domain, as it does not reflect the APF's approach to our engagement with government and the Department of Education. Meaningful consultation from the outset could have prevented this challenging situation, and we sincerely hope that, moving forward, there will be a genuine commitment to collaborative engagement on issues affecting the principalship and schools.

One thing that can be said with absolute certainty is that the APF will always stand firm in representing and advocating fiercely for our members and, more broadly, for all school leaders.