Statement from the Attorney-General

On my instruction, an application has been lodged with the High Court of Australia for special leave to appeal a judgment delivered by Queensland’s Court of Appeal on 15 August 2025. 

I have spoken to Lee Lovell and I have reiterated the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to do all we can to ensure the murderer who took Emma’s life is held accountable. 

The challenge we face is this offending happened under Labor’s weak laws - and now, because of Labor’s weak laws, this teenager could be out of detention even sooner. 

Our first act in Government was to deliver stronger youth justice laws and under the Crisafulli Government’s Adult Crime, Adult Time laws, this murderer would have been sentenced to life in prison.  

ENDS 

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