We think that if a child maintains 90%+ attendance parents have proven their commitment and should not be fined or prosecuted for brief absences. In our view, enforcement should target persistent low attendance below 90%, where a child’s education is genuinely at risk, not responsible families.

Family time and connection to a child’s wider community are essential to healthy development, belonging, and wellbeing. Not every family can travel during school holidays due to work or distance. We think punishing parents with fines or criminal records for brief absences ignores real-life pressures and risks livelihoods, and that the current level of enforcement action is excessive and harms families more than it helps children.