Details of Queensland mum and kids sent to accused abuser by Child Safety Dept

The mother and sons have been offered further counselling and relocation expenses after the woman had to pull the boys out of their new school. Photo / File / 123RF

A Queensland minister is under pressure to resign after the state's Child Safety Department unwittingly sent confidential details about a mother and her sons to their accused abuser.

An unidentified person in the department accidentally sent the information about the children's new school, counsellor and sports club.

The boys' father is in jail on remand, accused of attacking the woman, leaving her with broken bones, and going on the run with two of their three sons.

Child Safety Minister Shannon Fentiman told state parliament the "devastating error" had been referred to the Ethical Standards unit for investigation.

The mother and sons have been offered further counselling and relocation expenses after the woman had to pull the boys out of their new school.

"It is totally unacceptable and I expect much, much better," Fentiman said on Tuesday.

"I am very sorry and I have personally spoken to and apologised to the family. My Director-General has also apologised on behalf of the department."

But opposition child safety spokeswoman Ros Bates said saying sorry wasn't good enough.

"As we reflect on Child Protection Week, we need to ensure the premier holds her minister accountable for the litany of failures," she told parliament.

"Premier, sack this minister today."

Bates also raised concerns about how many other similar cases there were on the department's books.

The case surfaced amid separate reports about a Gold Coast woman who learned via Facebook - not Corrective Services - that her violent ex-partner had been released early from jail.

The opposition has also called for Corrective Services Minister Mark Ryan's scalp over that case.

Opposition leader Tim Nicholls used Question Time to call for the premier to take action.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk called for bi-partisan support on the broader issue of family violence.

"I honestly believe domestic and family violence shouldn't be a political issue, it should be something that we all work together to address," she told parliament.

"Unfortunately there are times when people fall below those cracks, and we need to do everything we can to help rebuild their lives."

Ryan meanwhile insisted the victims register was working as it was intended.

"I have sought assurances from the Acting Commissioner of Queensland Corrective Services, and she has advised me ... that those people who are registered on the Victims' Register are notified in accordance with the act."

Safeguards for victims of domestic violence have been in the spotlight after a spate of horrific killings and attacks in Queensland in recent months.

In one of the worst cases, Gold Coast mother-of-four Teresa May was murdered in January by her estranged husband just weeks after he was granted bail for a previous attack on her. He later took his own life.

Where to go for help or more information:

• Women's Refuge: Free national crisis line operates 24/7 - 0800 refuge or 0800 733 843 www.womensrefuge.org.nz

• Shine, free national helpline 9am- 11pm every day - 0508 744 633 www.2shine.org.nz

• It's Not Ok: Information line 0800 456 450 www.areyouok.org.nz

• Shakti: Providing specialist cultural services for African, Asian and middle eastern women and their children. Crisis line 24/7 0800 742 584

• Ministry of Justice: www.justice.govt.nz/family-justice/domestic-violence

• National Network of Stopping Violence: www.nnsvs.org.nz

• White Ribbon: Aiming to eliminate men's violence towards women, focusing this year on sexual violence and the issue of consent. www.whiteribbon.org.nz