IEU-QNT seeks details on safety at Marist Ashgrove

Independent Education Union – Queensland and Northern Territory has called for an independent external review into the culture and practices of Marist College Ashgrove. On 26 June 2026, the union renewed its push after ongoing reports of harassment of female staff, sexualised behaviour and workers feeling unsafe at the school.

IEU-QNT first raised concerns with Marist Schools Australia in 2023. Those concerns related to one specific incident and a broader culture of harassment and sexualised behaviour at Marist Ashgrove. Three years later, the union is still receiving reports of objectionable behaviour and harassment.

Branch Secretary Terry Burke said the situation now required an independent investigation. “The IEU-QNT first wrote to Marist Schools Australia in 2023 about a specific incident but also about a broader culture of harassment and sexualised behaviour,” Mr Burke said. “Three years later, we still are receiving reports of objectionable behaviour and harassment.”

Requests to the College

On 26 June 2026, the union formally requested details from Marist College Ashgrove on how it is addressing the issues. It also asked the College to explain how it is meeting its legislated responsibilities under the Work Health and Safety Act, especially its processes for dealing with psychosocial hazards, harassment and threatening behaviour.

Burke called for urgent action and rejected another internal response. “Serious issues persist at the school and in the absence of meaningful intervention to address the issues, we have now called on Marist Schools Australia to commission an independent external review to address the cultural and behavioural situation at Marist Ashgrove,” he said.

Meanwhile, the union wants the review’s terms of reference to allow clear recommendations. Those recommendations should help realign the College and its operations with its authentic character as a fundamentally good school. As a result, the proposed review would focus on culture, behaviour and workplace safety.

Burke also pointed to the values linked to the Marist school community. “Marist values of care and respect must be reaffirmed and asserted,” he said. According to the union, staff, parents, students and past students want the school to be seen operating with care, respect and dignity.

IEU-QNT represents more than 17,000 teachers, school support staff, principals, early childhood educators and VET and RTO workers across Queensland and the Northern Territory. Following its latest intervention, the union has increased pressure for an external process rather than a review handled only within the school.

Last updated: 29 June 2026, 11:45 am