Queensland’s inaugural Victims’ Commissioner, Beck O’Connor, has tendered her resignation, effective 23 September.
Minister for Youth Justice and Victim Support, Laura Gerber acknowledged Ms O’Connor’s work as the state’s first Victims’ Commissioner and her efforts to promote the Charter of Victims’ Rights, and advocacy on the issues affecting victims.
In her time in the role, Ms O’Connor (pictured) has raised awareness of victims’ rights and ensured victims of crime have had a priority voice at the table, said Ms Gerber.
“The Crisafulli Government is committed to putting victims of crime first,” she said.
“The Office of the Victims’ Commissioner is critical to identifying systemic issues relating to victims and promoting and advocating for the rights of victims.”
The Minister said acting arrangements will be in place to ensure continuity of important work from the Office of the Victims’ Commissioner until a new appointment is made.
Prior to taking on the Victims’ Commissioner role in July last year, Ms O’Connor was the chief executive of DVConnect for five years.
A audit report into DVConnect, released by the Queensland Government earlier this month, found thousands of callers to DVConnect’s family violence helpline had hung up while waiting for their calls to be answered. A review of the helpline found more than 2,500 calls were abandoned between July 2023 and March 2025.
Following the report’s release, Ms O’Connor defended the service, saying her five-year term coincided with some of the “most challenging conditions in the sector’s history”.
