17322 (2026). Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan to the Minister of Education

17322 (2026). Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan to the Minister of Education: What safeguards, if any, are currently in place to ensure that decisions to escalate schools for Ministry support or intervention are not based on incomplete or unverified information?

Hon Erica Stanford: I am advised that the Ministry of Education (the Ministry) uses several internal and external safeguards which ensure that any decisions to escalate Ministry support or interventions are not based on incomplete or unverified information. Ministry processes to implement these provisions require documented evidence to support each area of concern or risk being considered. The Ministry also requires multiple levels of checking and authorisation including regional and national office staff. The thresholds specified in section 171 (2)(3)(4) of the Education and Training Act 2020 must be met for the intervention to proceed. If further supporting evidence is required to verify the Ministry’s decision-making processes, evidence and information may be sourced from one or more of the Education Review Office (review findings), school Boards, and other peak bodies (as applicable) in the sector.