MEDIA STATEMENT: Government moves to save crime DNA samples 

Government moves to save crime DNA samples 

• Legislation to be amended to ensure DNA samples aren’t destroyed.  
• Samples caught up in Labor’s DNA Debacle will be retained for up to seven years to ensure victims have access to justice. 
• Crisafulli Government committed to clearing the forensic testing backlog from Labor’s DNA debacle. 

The Crisafulli Government will this week introduce changes to Parliament, allowing DNA samples caught up in Labor’s DNA Debacle to be retained for up to seven years, ensuring victims can access the justice they deserve.  

Amendments to the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000 will be made to prevent the destruction of DNA linked to the most serious crimes including rape and murder, caught up in Labor’s DNA Debacle – which were set to be destroyed from mid-June. 

Current retention periods will be extended from three to seven years, and DNA material taken from suspects between 14 June 2025 and 14 June 2027 will be kept for up to three years. 

Labor’s DNA Debacle is one of the greatest failures of a justice system in the world, with more than 40,000 cases of the State’s most serious cases left under a forensic cloud. 

The change was a key recommendation of Dr Kirsty Wright, as she continues the DNA Lab Review, allowing for samples to be protected and preserved.   

Dr Wright and world-renowned FBI expert Dr Bruce Budowle, are expected to hand down recommendations that deliver faster justice for victims and restore public confidence in forensic testing, to the Government mid-year.  

The Crisafulli Government has also delivered a $6 million boost to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to allow victims’ cases impacted by the DNA Lab backlog to be finalised sooner.  

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity Deb Frecklington said the changes were an important step in fixing Labor’s DNA Debacle, while the Review was ongoing. 

“We promised Queenslanders we would sort out Labor’s DNA Debacle and this will protect this DNA so victims can access justice,” The Attorney-General said.  

“It was critical we stepped in and extended the retention period to ensure that while we work to clear Labor’s backlog, more cases and victims aren’t adversely impacted. 

“The review of historical cases must not be compromised by the destruction of any historical DNA material, which is why we have acted swiftly on the advice of Dr Kirsty Wright. 

“This continues our cast iron commitment to ensuring justice is served for victims of crime, after they were let down by the former Labor Government.” 

The Attorney-General said the Crisafulli Government’s wholesale review of Queensland’s DNA testing operations had uncovered the risk of losing samples. 

“Within my first week, I appointed forensic biologist Dr Kirsty Wright to undertake the FSQ review – and it is her work that has enabled us to act quickly to save these samples,” the Attorney-General said. 

“I thank Dr Wright for uncovering this important matter, and for helping us get to the bottom of this unprecedented disaster at the hands of the former Labor Government.” 

ENDS 

MEDIA CONTACT: Molly Snaylam 0448 320 555