The Queensland Government will introduce landmark legislation in Parliament today in a bid to protect domestic and family violence victims sooner and hold perpetrators to account.
Under the reforms, Police will be able to issue on-the-spot 12-month Police Protection Directions to provide immediate long-term protection to victim-survivors and reduce trauma through exposure to judicial processes.
The Directions will instruct the respondent to not commit domestic violence against the aggrieved or a named person for a period of 1 year or face a maximum penalty of three years imprisonment. It may also include a cool-down, ouster, return or no contact conditions.
The measure will be subject to several safeguards, to complement the existing domestic and family violence framework and does not replace standard investigative processes.
Police Protection Directions issued to female respondents are subject to the Gender Centred Review.
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Amanda Camm said the reform was about putting the onus on the perpetrator and investing in prevention.
“Domestic and family violence has no place in our society and this reform is about giving victim survivors immediate protection and support,” Minister Camm said.
“This is just the start as we begin to unravel the mess left by a decade of neglect under the former Labor Government.”
Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Dan Purdie said the Crisafulli Government was taking critical action to tackle unacceptable rates of domestic violence, which skyrocketed under Labor.
“Frontline police are struggling to keep up with calls for service under the sheer amount of calls for help,” Minister Purdie said.
“We couldn’t stand back and continue to do the same thing and expect a different outcome.
“Police Protection Directions will allow officers to get to the next case sooner and ensure our system puts victims first.”
Small Steps 4 Hannah Foundation co-founders, Sue and Lloyd Clarke, who lost their daughter, Hannah and her three young children at the hands of Hannah’s estranged partner in 2020, have welcomed the Queensland Government’s proposed laws, saying they offer meaningful hope in turning the tables on perpetrators coercive control.
“We’re so relieved to see police being emboldened to act meaningfully against perpetrators of family and domestic violence,” Mr Clarke said.
“Hannah’s experience with police was positive, but they simply didn’t have the powers needed to actively protect her – and our grandchildren – from her perpetrator.
“We’re calling on all Australian states to match Queensland’s Police Protection Direction so that potential victims can be safeguarded before it’s too late.
“The onus should always be on the perpetrator, not the victim. We hope these laws make it easier for people to seek help and give them the confidence to turn to police when they need protection.
“There’s still a lot of education to be done, but laws like this bring us small steps closer to pushing back against the rising tide of violence.”
“On behalf of Hannah, Aaliyah, Laianah, and Trey, we want to thank the Queensland Government for putting victims of family and domestic violence first,” Mrs Clarke said.
The introduction of reforms in Parliament coincides on the eve of Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month which begins on 1 May.
This year’s theme ‘Take positive action today to build a safer Queensland’ is a rallying call for everyone to play their part in challenging harmful attitudes and behaviours that condone domestic and family violence.
Throughout May, iconic Brisbane landmarks, including the Story Bridge and Sandgate city halls, will light up in purple as a symbol that everyone deserves to be safe and feel safe, and live free from the threat or experience of violence.
The initiative pays tribute to those affected by domestic and family violence and the frontline service workers who support people on their pathway to safety.
The Government will also continue to support Challenge DV’s Darkness to Daylight event, which will held on 29–30 May, to raise funds for domestic and family violence prevention programs and interventions.
Information and support options are available for anyone affected by domestic and family violence at www.qld.gov.au/needtoknow.
For information on how to get involved during Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, including resources to show support, visit www.qld.gov.au/dfvpmonth.
