Independent Supervisor Appointed to oversee reform implementation

Published Thursday, 16 March, 2023 at 11:18 AM

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Minister for Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence
The Honourable Shannon Fentiman

Ms Catherine (Cathy) Taylor has been appointed as the permanent Independent Implementation Supervisor to oversee implementation of the Government Response to recommendations made by the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce.

Ms Taylor will also oversee the implementation of Government response to the Independent Commission of Inquiry into Queensland Police Service responses to domestic and family violence.

Ms Taylor has over 20 years’ experience as a senior public servant in Queensland and South Australia, working in and across strategic policy, legislative reform, planning and service delivery roles in the areas of child protection, youth justice, disability services and domestic violence.

The Independent Implementation Supervisor will oversee and report bi-annually on:

  • the progress of the implementation of the Taskforce’s recommendations and the achievement of systemic outcomes;
  • the adequacy of implementation; and
  • what further measures may be required to ensure the recommendations supported by the Queensland Government are implemented fully within the specified timeframes.

An Independent Implementation Supervisor with responsibility for overseeing implementation was a recommendation of both the first and second Taskforce reports, as well as the Commission of Inquiry into QPS responses to domestic and family violence – A Call for change.

Her appointment followed a nation-wide recruitment process to identify candidates with relevant expertise, who were then considered by an independent selection panel which included the Honourable Margaret McMurdo AC.

Ms Taylor has been appointed for a minimum term of two years.

Ms Linda Apelt, who was appointed as the interim Independent Implementation Supervisor in November 2022 while the process for permanent appointment was underway, will continue in the role until Ms Taylor commences in the coming weeks.  

Quotes attributable to the Attorney-General:

“Ms Taylor has immense experience in leading significant reforms to keep families safe and driving change across government agencies.”

“She has extensive knowledge of Queensland’s investment and reform in this area, having led the response to the Not Now Not Ever Report”.

“Our investment since this time now exceeds $1.3 billion, and it’s vital that we have independent oversight to ensure that the reforms are implemented strategically and achieve the results intended.”

“The Government is absolutely determined to implement these reforms to strengthen our response to domestic and family violence and make Queensland a safer and more respectful place for women and girls.”

“I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Linda Apelt for her valuable contributions as interim Independent Implementation Supervisor over the past few months. I thank Ms Apelt for her strong leadership in laying the foundations to establish this important oversight role.”

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Police and Corrective Services and Minister for Fire and Emergency Services:

“We look forward to working with the Independent Implementation Supervisor as we continue the reform journey for the Queensland Police Service response to Domestic and Family Violence.”

“We are resourcing system change and system improvement across the QPS to better respond to domestic and family violence and we want to ensure we get it right.”

ENDS

Media contact – Natarjsha Kramer 0456 436 934