Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says there should be a national policy of zero tolerance for bullying in schools, with powers for principals and teachers to intervene.

Mr Rudd also says it would be appropriate for victims' parents to contact the families of bullies.

He told ABC Local Brisbane he has spoken with the Alannah and Madeline Foundation, which is a charity to protect children from violence.

This is a campaign we are working on with [the foundation] right across Australia with a view to getting into every school, Mr Rudd said.

We have a policy of saying no to any form of bullying and that we have powers given to teachers and principals to step in.

Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce agrees that schools are facing significant issues with bullying.

Also speaking to ABC Local Brisbane, he said there is a fear factor among parents about psychological torment that is noxious and dangerous.

He says the issue needs to be addressed at a national and state level.

It's a big issue. It is quickly getting to an issue where the state governments in some instances and some areas have lost control of their schools, said Senator Joyce.

We have teachers who just say, well we can't do anything, we are supposed to go in there and yell at students 'stop, stop, stop'.

How does that help you if you are getting pummelled?

Australia