State Parliament passes wide-ranging amendments to Criminal Code

Queensland’s Criminal Code has tonight been streamlined, modernised and updated with the removal of some outdated crimes and the introduction of new laws to recognise such offences as leaving children unattended and assaults on frontline public officers.

Attorney-General Kerry Shine said the Criminal Code and Other Acts Amendment Bill, passed by State Parliament tonight, equipped Queensland with a contemporary Criminal Code to reflect a contemporary society.

“This bill takes what were some very narrow, specific provisions of the Code – along with some obsolete, even archaic provisions – and modernises them,” Mr Shine said.

“The amendments will ensure the continued effectiveness of criminal law in a modern Queensland.

“There were some obvious areas that needed to be refocused - obsolete provisions such as the offence of challenging a person to a duel - which have been repealed.

“But the amendments also introduce new offences into the code, one specifically aimed at parents and carers who leave their children unsupervised for an unreasonable period.

“Additionally, the amendments to the Code ensure front line public officers who are attacked in the course of their duties will now be afforded the same level of protection as a police or prison officer.”

Key areas of change to the Criminal Code include:

• A new offence aimed at parents and carers who leave children aged under 12 unsupervised for an unreasonable period. The offence will apply in situations where children are abandoned in public places, left in vehicles or left home alone for unreasonably long periods and carries a penalty of three years in prison.
• A maximum penalty of seven years in prison for serious assaults against public officers while performing their jobs. The amendment ensures that public officers, such as Child Safety officers who are vulnerable because of their employment, receive the protection of the Code.
• An increase from two years to 14 years in prison for an accessory to manslaughter or attempted murder charge.

Mr Shine said in the past police had recorded incidents of parents leaving their children locked in cars or abandoning them at camp sites and fast food restaurants.

"But under the law parents could only be punished if their unattended child was injured or suffered neglect," Mr Shine said.

"This new offence provides for parents to be charged for not providing sufficient care and supervision for their child, even if they are not injured.

"We will not tolerate parents who fail to adequately care for their children while they are elsewhere."

He said all members of the public should now also be warned that frontline public officers were protected from serious assault.

"We want to give these public officers the same level of protection as we give to police and corrective services officers.

"People who attack these frontline workers in the course of them simply doing their jobs will now face serious consequences.”

Media Contact:    Chris Taylor      0419 710 874