MOST parents would be repelled by the idea that one of their children's teachers should be allowed to work as a prostitute outside school hours.

Working in a brothel may be a legal activity; but it is at best an inappropriate pursuit for someone responsible for building a child's moral and intellectual character. Teachers are entitled to take a second job if they feel the need, but parents are also entitled to expect that those charged with a duty of care over their children are seen to support the values of the broader community. The revelation that a Queensland teacher was working as a prostitute on the Gold Coast has embarrassed the Beattie Government into ordering a review of the rules governing public servants taking second jobs. When the teacher's second job was discovered more than 12 months ago she quit prostitution immediately, was counselled, changed her name and moved to another school. Yet questions remain over whether Education Queensland handled the matter appropriately. Now, after the issue has been revealed, Premier Peter Beattie says he will ask for advice on whether new rules should be introduced to ensure public servants seek the approval of their supervisors before taking on a second job. That plan in itself could create problems in the workplace and unfairly discriminate against some public servants; but the Government has a duty to ensure that its employees act in accordance with community standards, particularly when those standards involve the care of children.