Queensland considers stronger regulations after students quizzed over teacher’s living arrangements

Queensland's education minister, Grace Grace, says she is considering beefing up the powers of the independent schools' regulator, to ensure students outside the state system are "protected and supported".

On Monday, Guardian Australia revealed the principal of a Gold Coast school, Livingstone Christian college, interviewed several students amid an investigation into whether a teacher had told them she lived with her boyfriend.

The principal had told the teacher that an unmarried relationship went against the school's "biblical moral standards".

Grace told Guardian Australia schools should be "warm, welcoming, and supportive environments for students and staff".

"I do not think it is appropriate for students to be brought into discussions regarding the personal or living arrangements of staff," she said.

"I am currently looking into powers that the non-state schools accreditation board has, and if they needed to be broadened to ensure Queensland students are being protected and supported in the non-government sector."

The move to review the board's powers follows concerns raised earlier this year about the policies of Brisbane's Citipointe Christian college, which prompted community outrage by attempting to institute "discriminatory" enrolment contracts with anti-gay and anti-trans provisions.