Queensland teacher moonlights as prostitute

BRISBANE - A teacher caught moonlighting as a prostitute has been suspended from a Queensland public school while the state government investigates.

Premier Peter Beattie yesterday said she was placed on special leave with pay two days ago, pending the outcome of an investigation.

Beattie said the woman had not acted illegally but the government's reaction was in "the best interests of the students".

Colleagues of the woman, aged in her 30s, told the Sunday Mail newspaper she was caught when another teacher visited a licensed brothel and later told other teachers about her.

An Education Queensland spokesman said when the department found out about the woman's second job about 15 months ago, it asked her to quit being a prostitute. "She did so immediately."

He confirmed she was transferred to a different school and changed her identity.

The Sunday Mail said the teacher had since resumed working as a prostitute. Beattie said he would explore whether legislation could be strengthened to ensure public service workers' second jobs were appropriate.

- AAP