The central booking agency for Queensland's annual schoolies festival — Schoolies.com — is ditching its deal with dating app Tinder in the wake of anger expressed by parents and Tourism Minister Kate Jones.
Ms Jones on Wednesday praised the decision, calling it a "win for parents".
The partnership came to light this week when a Brisbane mother spoke out about receiving an email from Schoolies.com that spruiked "exclusive experiences" for people who joined Tinder.
In a statement on Wednesday afternoon, Schoolies.com chief executive Matt Lloyd said the company had made the business decision not to continue with the arrangement.
"We feel confident that Tinder would have been able to help schoolies attendees connect safely with other high school graduates during this exciting time of their lives, but have decided not to continue with the partnership," he said.
According to its website, Schoolies.com has been the "central booking site for Schoolies Week for over 30 years".
Ms Jones said the agreement had sent the wrong message to the community.
"This partnership should never have been entered into the first place, but I really do want to acknowledge the Schoolies organisation for listening to parents and ending this contract with Tinder," she said.
"We have worked really hard over the last decade to give parents confidence that their children are safe when they are at Schoolies.
"Today is a great win for parents right across Queensland.
"Our children have an absolute right to go down to Schoolies and enjoy themselves, but we want them to be safe.
"I shared parents' outrage when this was announced."
Brisbane mother Libby Marshall, whose daughter is heading to Schoolies on the Gold Coast next month, had said she was "flabbergasted" to receive the email promoting the collaboration.
Ms Marshall said it was "fantastic news" the deal had been dumped.
"Congratulations to everyone who joined in the conversation — Kate Jones, the commissioner for Queensland families and children," she said
"Their quick reaction to this, given the response from parents, has really pushed Schoolies.com to make a decision that probably should not have been made in the first place.
"Thankfully this partnership is now finished."
