By ABC News
Copyright abc
The death of an eight-year-old girl, killed in a suspected murder-suicide alongside her mother in Brisbane, will be investigated by Queensland’s education authorities.
Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek wouldn’t be drawn on media reports the girl — who was found dead with her mother Dr Tiffany Wilkes at an Airbnb in Kenmore Hills on Monday — had only sporadically been attending school prior to her death.
But he told reporters on Friday the case would be reviewed and the system “strengthen[ed]” in response if needed.
“I can’t comment about an individual case, especially when it’s something that’s been quite traumatic just within the last couple of days,” Mr Langbroek said.
He said the government had committed to a review of the Blue Card system, part of which would look at, and seek to improve, communication between departments.
That included looking at whether the education department was passing on information about a child’s absence to police or child safety authorities, he added.
“I can reassure Queensland parents that we want to make sure there’s better communication between these departments,” he said.
Mr Langbroek said the department was making an effort to increase oversight of children who were either being homeschooled or were infrequently attending school.
In a statement released on Thursday, a spokesperson for the Department of Education said they were “deeply shocked and saddened by the recent tragic incident in Kenmore Hills”.
“As the case is under police investigation, the department cannot provide comment.”
The ABC understands Dr Wilkes’s daughter was not known to the Department of Child Safety.
Community ‘shocked’ by case
At the time of her death, Dr Wilkes had been employed part-time with Queensland Health as a staff specialist at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane.
A source told the ABC she had not attended work for 18 months due to mental health issues.
She had also been listed as an anaesthetist on the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency’s website of registered doctors, but her name was removed following her death.
On Thursday, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) Queensland president Dr Nick Yim released a statement, urging clinicians who were struggling to reach out for support.
“AMA Queensland cannot comment about this specific case, and we are aware speculation can be incredibly painful for loved ones,” he said.
“We know doctors and health professionals experience mental health challenges just like everyone else.”
Queensland’s Child Safety Minister Amanda Camm also expressed her “sympathy” to the friends and family of Dr Wilkes and her daughter.
“I think many across our community were absolutely shocked at this case,” she said.
Police are preparing a report on the deaths for the coroner.
A police spokesperson said on Thursday they were not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident.
