Advocates welcome reforms but cautious of error risk
By Sonia Isaacs
SPEAK Up Now – Stop Domestic Violence has welcomed Queensland’s sweeping new family violence laws but warned they risk leaving some victims unprotected if stronger safeguards are not introduced.
The Crisafulli Government passed landmark reforms through Parliament on August 28, introducing three major changes aimed at protecting victims sooner: on-the-spot 12-month Police Protection Directions, GPS trackers for high-risk offenders and the rollout of video-recorded evidence in court.
Victim safety is at the heart of the reform, with police empowered to issue immediate protection orders, courts allowed to impose trackers on repeat offenders and video statements introduced to reduce re-traumatisation in trials.
Domestic Violence Order breaches have almost doubled in five years, with magistrates’ courts recording 41,523 matters in 2024-25. Police Protection Directions will order alleged perpetrators not to commit domestic violence against a victim for a year or face up to three years’ jail. Orders may include cooldown, ouster or no-contact conditions.
But local Speak Up Now spokesperson, Val France, said misidentification remains a serious risk.
“There are ongoing cases where police mistakenly identify the person using violence as the victim, leaving the true victim unprotected. Under these new laws, that error could last for 12 months,” she said.
While PPDs can be challenged in court within 28 days, Ms France said many vulnerable people would struggle to access legal support. “The risk of wrongful penalisation is real and deeply troubling,” she said.
She commended the introduction of GPS trackers and video evidence but urged the government to go further.
“Victims should be notified of tracker activation, deactivation and breaches to ensure their safety,” she said.
Domestic and Family Violence Minister Amanda Camm said the government was delivering on its commitment to make Queensland safer.
“Whether it is tracking an offender 24/7, issuing on-the-spot protections or making the judicial process easier, this reform is about better protecting victims,” she said.
Police Minister Dan Purdie said the reforms gave frontline officers the authority to act without delay. “This is about empowering police to protect the vulnerable and prevent harm before it happens,” he said.
Speak Up Now is calling for trauma-informed police training, stronger cultural safeguards and expanded access to legal and DFV services to ensure the reforms protect those they are designed to help.