Probe urged after autistic boy locked up

Queensland Education Minister Kate Jones has been urged to launch an investigation into a public school that disciplined an autistic boy by repeatedly locking him in a small cell-like room with its windows boarded up.

Tate Smith, 9, was locked into the two metre-by-two metre room at Kawungan State School at Hervey Bay up to 20 times in the last year because his teacher said he needed a "time out", News Corp Australia reports.

"Kate Jones must act decisively to establish an independent investigation, immediately stand down those responsible, and refer criminal acts to the Queensland police," Autistic Collective Co-convener Dr Leia Greenslade said in a statement on Wednesday.

Comment from Ms Jones has been sought.