Serial bullies in Victorian schools will be forced to have disciplinary hearings with their parents and school principal as part of a planned state opposition overhaul of bullying programs.
The $15.3 million plan would replace the Andrews Labor government's LGBTI Safe Schools program if the Liberal-Nationals coalition wins November's state poll.
It would require students to attend disciplinary hearings with their parents, school principal and their victim's parents if they fail to change their ways after two warnings for bullying.
"I want to make sure that every child is safe, that no child is left behind, not on any grounds, whether it's physical size, whether it is race, sexuality, whatever it may be. Every child deserves to feel safe when they go to school," Opposition Leader Matthew Guy told reporters on Wednesday.
His party has long opposed the Safe Schools anti-bullying program, which promotes acceptance of LGBTI children.
The coalition's program would be run by a school safety unit to be set up within the education department and the Alannah and Madeline Foundation, a charity focusing on protecting children from violence and bullying.
Under the plan, a student safety unit would maintain a record of disciplinary hearings and the department could not overturn a principal's decision to expel a child.
"Three strikes of serious bullying, serious, systematic, unpleasant, nasty, belittling, aggressive, violent behaviour from one student to the next ... will see the most serious consequences meted out," opposition education spokesman Tim Smith said.
School leaders will attend professional development sessions and parents, teachers and students would also take part in yearly workshops.
The coalition says the program will recognise and reward children who stick up for bullying victims but it's not clear exactly how.
Education Minister James Merlino said the government was already rolling out programs including an eSmart initiative to teach children safe internet use and protect them from cyber bullies.
"We're not going to take a lecture from the Liberal party. When they were last in office they cut a billion dollars out of education," Mr Merlino said.
The Victorian Council of Social Service said the Liberals' three-strikes rule would make it easier to expel children without providing greater supports to prevent them reaching "crisis point".
"Expulsions should be a last resort only. And if a student is expelled, what happens to them? How do they get the support they need?" chief executive Emma King said.
