Palaszczuk Government accepts Legal Affairs and Safety Committee recommendations

• Legal Affairs and Safety Committee Report, Inquiry into support provided to victims of crime, makes 18 recommendations
• Government supports or has supported-in-principle all 18 recommendations

The Palaszczuk Government has released its response to the Legal Affairs and Safety Committee (the Committee) Report, Inquiry into support provided to victims of crime.

The Committee handed down 18 recommendations that focused on improving the coordination of Government agency responses and supports to victims of crime.

The Palaszczuk Government has supported, or supported in principle, all of the Committee’s recommendations.

The implementation of the recommendations will complement and enhance broad criminal justice reforms already underway in response to the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce Hear Her Voice Reports One and Two, and the independent commission of inquiry into Queensland Police Service responses to domestic and family violence.

Among the Government’s response will see enhancements made to the coordination and provision of agency responses to victims of crime.

The Financial Assistance Scheme, under the Victims of Crime Assistance Act 2009, will be independently reviewed and consideration will be given to enhancements to reduce the burden on victims of violent crime.

The Palaszczuk Government acknowledges the significant and complex trauma experienced by victims of property crime and consideration of the assistance needs of victims of property crime.

Existing programs and support and other options to enhance assistance will be included as part of the review of the Financial Assistance Scheme.

The establishment of a Victims’ Commissioner, whose primary purpose is to promote and protect the rights of all victims of crime, will ensure the voices of victims are heard and enduring systemic improvements continue to be made to meet the needs of victims of crime.

The Victims’ Commissioner will also play an integral role within Queensland’s criminal justice system in enhancing the support and assistance provided to victims of all crimes.

The Palaszczuk Government has committed to having a permanent Victims’ Commissioner in place by the end of the financial year, with an interim Commissioner starting the important work from October.

The Government’s full response to the Committee’s recommendations is available here.

Quotes attributable to Attorney-General, Minister for Justice and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Yvette D’Ath:

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to supporting Queenslanders who are victims of crime.

“The safety of Queenslanders is our highest priority, and these changes will enhance the delivery of broad criminal justice reform for victims of crime.

“It is a harrowing experience to be a victim of any type of crime and I acknowledge the significant and complex trauma experienced by victims.

“I would also like to thank the victims of crime who provided submissions and appeared as witnesses before the Committee, for their willingness to share their experiences and their commitment to improving the support provided to victims of crime.”

ENDS

Media contact: Cullen Robinson 0418 170 474