Queensland

Tiahleigh Palmer's foster parents continued to operate family day care

The foster parents of slain Logan schoolgirl Tiahleigh Palmer were allowed to operate a family day care business until April, it has been revealed.

Tiahleigh, 12, was last seen on October 30, 2015, and her body was found six days later on the banks of the Pimpama River.

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On Tuesday, Tiahleigh's foster father, Richard Neville Thorburn, 56, was charged with her murder

Child Safety Minister Shannon Fentiman said police in April notified her department and the Education and Training Department of "alleged criminal activity".

"This was the first time that concerns had been raised about the Thorburns," she said.

"Their family day care approval was immediately revoked by the Department of Education and Training and their foster care approval was immediately suspended."

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Ms Fentiman said Rick and Julene Thorburn were approved as foster carers in August 2014.

She said all relevant checks, including blue cards, criminal history checks, interviews and reference checks were completed, in addition to relevant training.

Tiahleigh Palmer was in foster care when she was allegedly murdered by her foster father Richard Thorburn.
Tiahleigh Palmer was in foster care when she was allegedly murdered by her foster father Richard Thorburn. 

No other foster children were placed with the Thorburns after the disappearance of Tiahleigh, but they did operate a family day care business which continued to operate until April.

Ms Fentiman said people needed to respect the judicial process, but said the allegations in this case were appalling.

Child Safety Minister Shannon Fentiman said police in April notified her department of "alleged criminal history".
Child Safety Minister Shannon Fentiman said police in April notified her department of "alleged criminal history". Photo: Chris Hyde

"If proven, (they) are the ultimate betrayal of trust," Ms Fentiman said.

Queensland Family and Child Commission principal commissioner Cheryl Vardon asked people to take a moment to remember Tiahleigh.

"For some time now, since late last year, we have been hoping for justice for her and this is now coming about through the court system," she said.

She thanked police and Ms Fentiman for their work.

Bravehearts chair Hetty Johnston urged people to "break the silence" and share information about foster carers and people who work with children with authorities.

"(The system) is not broken, it's under a huge amount of strain, it's full of people who care passionately about children who open their hearts and their doors and their homes to the state's most vulnerable children," she said.

"But in every group of people there will be a small percentage who are not there for the right reasons."

Ms Fentiman on Wednesday announced a review of assessment and approval processes for foster carers and a review of blue cards.