Government spends big to protect Queenslanders

The Palaszczuk Government will spend $1.4 billion on delivering frontline justice services to protect the safety of Queenslanders in this Budget.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Women and Prevention of Domestic Violence Shannon Fentiman said the Budget allocation would allow the Government to continue to develop policies that foster safe, fair, and responsible communities.

“This Government is deeply committed to protecting Queenslanders and the Budget mirrors that commitment,” Minister Fentiman said.

“There is clearly a strong focus on dealing with the scourge of domestic and family violence, but the Government also remains committed to programs that protect children, women and the community at large.”

The Budget provides $30 million over four years to boost services supporting victims of domestic, family and sexual violence across the state in response to increased demand, including due to COVID-19 related impacts.

There is a further $13.04 million over four years to strengthen timely access to justice for Queenslanders including $4.4 million to rollout further critical frontline domestic and family violence support services and perpetrator interventions in specialist court locations.

The Government will spend $19.7 million to maintain the current child protection litigation model for a further 12 months, and $4.56 million has been allocated over four years to continue an additional part-time specialist Childrens Court magistrate, support staff, security, and legal advocates to increase the case volume heard in the Childrens Court.

Regular court operations are well supported in the Budget. In addition, $4.19 million is being provided over four years for the permanent establishment of a second coronial registrar team within the Coroners Court of Queensland.

“This will enhance triaging practices and strengthen case management and structural supports within the coroners court,” Minister Fentiman said.

A total of $7.4 million is being invested to expand and upgrade existing audio-visual capacity in the justice system, which includes video conferencing and in-custody appearances.

“This will provide for the streamlining of some matters, enabling cost savings in both time and resources,” Minister Fentiman said.  

Other features of the DJAG Budget include:

• $4 million over four years for Victim Assist Queensland to continue to provide timely financial assistance to victims of crime, and their families
• $2.78 million in 2021-22 for the department to continue delivery of key initiatives of the government's Tackling Alcohol-Fuelled Violence (TAFV) policy
• $2.71 million in 2021-22 to continue important initiatives providing specialist support to women in contact with the criminal justice and custodial systems
• QCAT received additional funding of $7M (and 4 FTE) over 2 years to respond to COVID-19 related demand pressures and backlogs.

ENDS

Media contact: Penni Pappas 0438 747 540