Expert board to review domestic violence deaths

The Palaszczuk Government has taken another important step in its actions to tackle domestic and family violence, with the appointment of the Domestic and Family Violence Death Review and Advisory Board, chaired by State Coroner Terry Ryan.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D’Ath today announced the 12 members of the new board, established as part of the Government’s commitment to implement the recommendations of Dame Quentin Bryce’s report titled Not Now, Not Ever: Putting an End to Domestic Violence in Queensland.

Mrs D’Ath said the board would play an important review and advisory role in ensuring government and community services protected the victims of domestic and family violence while holding perpetrators accountable.

“Our ultimate goal is to prevent these senseless, tragic, violent deaths,” said Mrs D’Ath.

“The sad reality is that despite the best efforts of police, community groups and government, they continue to occur. When they do, we must learn what we can to ensure we stem that awful tide of violence."

The Domestic and Family Violence Death Review and Advisory Board has been established under the Coroners Act 2003 with additional funding of $2 million over four years provided in the State Budget.

The board will:

• review domestic and family violence deaths in Queensland, including deaths that occurred before the Board was established and deaths that are still being investigated under the Coroners Act;
• analyse data and apply research to identify patterns, trends and risk factors relating to domestic and family violence deaths in Queensland;
• conduct research to prevent or reduce the likelihood of domestic and family violence deaths;
• compile systemic reports into domestic and family violence deaths, that identify ways to reduce the likelihood of domestic and family violence deaths in Queensland;
• recommend improvements to legislation, policies, training and other matters for government and community groups to help tackle domestic violence; and
• monitor the implementation of those recommendations.

Mrs D’Ath said the board’s membership reflected the diversity of the Queensland community from the fields of domestic violence services, health and the justice system.

“Board members bring a wealth of experience and insight across key sectors,” said Mrs D’Ath.

They have received their letters of appointment this week, effective immediately for a term of three years.”

Non-government members

Dr Kathleen Baird is the Deputy Chair of the Domestic and Family Violence Death Review and Advisory Board. She is a Senior Lecturer in Midwifery and the Director of Education and Nursing at Griffith University

Dr Silke Meyer is a Lecturer in Postgraduate Programs (Certificate and Diploma in Domestic and Family Violence Practice) in the Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research at Central Queensland University

Ms Elizabeth Taylor is the Director of the Betty Taylor Training and Consultancy

Mr Mark Walters is the Manager of DV Connect Mensline. 

Ms Angela Lynch is a Legal Reform and Community Legal Education Lawyer at the Women’s Legal Service Queensland

Government members

Barbara Shawis the Executive Director of the Office for Women and Domestic Violence Reform in the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services

Dr Jeannette Young, is the Chief Health Officer and Deputy Director-General of the Prevention Division in Queensland Health

Assistant Commissioner Maurice Carless heads State Crime Command within the Queensland Police Service

Dr Mark Rallings is the Commissioner of the Queensland Corrective Services

Ms Tammy Williams is the Indigenous Commissioner for the Queensland Family and Child Commission

Ms Natalie Parker is the Director of Domestic and Family Violence Court Reform in the Department of Justice and Attorney-General

Media contact: 0417 272 875