Ground breaking reports support Palaszczuk Government’s strategy to put victims of domestic violence first

The Palaszczuk Government is putting the safety of domestic violence victims first.

In an Australian first, two ground breaking reports have confirmed the appropriateness of the government’s sensible and evidence-based approach to electronic monitoring for domestic violence perpetrators.

The reports, by the Australian National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) and the Queensland Police Service (QPS), confirm the Queensland Government’s current approach that GPS tracking devices are a valuable tool as part of a broader program of monitoring of offenders.

Both studies reveal the key role electronic monitoring can play in enhancing community safety as a part of a broader, comprehensive and integrated program of offender monitoring.
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Di Farmer said the safety of domestic violence victims was always the government’s highest priority.

“The expert advice is clear – we need to use every tool we have to protect individuals and families from violence,” Ms Farmer said.

“The reports are also clear that GPS monitoring is not a stand-alone solution, it needs to be part of a wider approach,” she said.

“The reports confirm that the Queensland Government’s approach is the right one and it’s why a wide-ranging and integrated approach to electronic monitoring is necessary to ensure the safety of Queenslanders.”

Ms Farmer said the Palaszczuk Government has done more than any government before it to take action against the scourge of domestic and family violence.

“Since the release of the Not Now, Not Ever report in 2015, we have invested $328.9 million over six years to deliver the report’s recommendations,” Ms Farmer said.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D’Ath said that putting the safety of Queenslanders first meant GPS tracking orders were only made after bail was determined.

“In other words, the offender has already been deemed suitable for bail prior to any consideration of making them subject to a GPS tracking order,” Ms D’Ath said.
“This means the offender would be granted bail regardless of any potential GPS tracking order.

“We’ve also brought in tough new laws and increased penalties including the new criminal offence of non-lethal strangulation, so that the courts can hold perpetrators to account,” Ms D’Ath.

Police Minister Mark Ryan said the two reports confirmed that GPS monitoring provides the authorities with another tool to help keep the community safe.

“As is current practice in Queensland, GPS monitoring is not a stand-alone strategy, but rather it is one part of a broader program of supervision.

“The Queensland Police Service has undergone an exhaustive evaluation and procurement process to make sure its GPS trackers are the best available.

“And we have these devices pre-positioned across all 24-hour watch-houses and also at a number of other watch-houses.

“This is a direct consequence of the recommendations of the Special Taskforce on Domestic and Family Violence in Queensland’s, Not Now, Not Ever report and forms part of the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to keeping Queenslanders safe,” Minister Ryan said.

Media contact: Cat Milton 0447 117 132