New laws put victims first

• Miles Government secures additional victims of crime support with a streamlined Corrective Services victims’ register. 
• More consideration of victims’ experiences in Parole Board decisions. 
• New Parole Board powers to extend periods between prisoner parole applications.      

New laws passed by the Miles Labor Government in Parliament today will deliver greater support for victims of crime and more say in Parole Board decisions with a victims of crime representative to be included on the Board.

The Corrective Services (Promoting Safety) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill will enhance the operation of the Services’ Victims Register, enabling authorised third-party victims support agencies to apply for membership of the register on behalf of a victim.

These changes will help reduce trauma by minimising the need for Queenslanders to repeatably retell their experience when their perpetrator’s custody arrangements change.

Amendments to the legislation include more safeguards for the personal information and security of victims, and the cancellation of prisoners’ phone call privileges when they’re used to threaten or breach domestic violence orders. 

Under new Parole Board powers, in addition to Restricted Prisoner provisions already in the Corrective Services Act, the Board will be able to extend the maximum period restricting applications for parole after a parole refusal to five years for prisoners serving life sentences, three years for long-term prisoners and up to one year for other offenders.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Fire and Disaster Recovery and Minister for Corrective Service, Nikki Boyd MP:

“These laws reinforce that the Miles Government’s support for the victims of crime and the safety of the Queensland community is not negotiable, they’ll always come first, never last.

“Following our legislation to introduce a Queensland Victims Commissioner, these laws will enshrine a victims of crime voice on the Parole Board, ensuring victims’ lived experiences are always part of decision making.  

“While we’ll always hold offenders to account and provide opportunities for rehabilitation, these changes are about making sure the victims are supported and heard.

“The Miles Government’s focus on supporting police and corrections officers to protect our community and the rights of victims is in stark contrast to the LNP’s shameful history of cuts to jobs, officer training and equipment and privatisation of Queensland prisons.”

ENDS