Victims of Crime Assistance and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill increases the financial assistance available to victims of violent crime in Queensland, with the maximum payment for primary victims rising from $75,000 to $120,000. It recognises the seriousness of domestic and family violence by boosting the special assistance payment for those victim-survivors from $1,000 to $9,000. These are the first increases to most victim assistance caps since 2009.
Who it affects
Victims of violent crime and their families will receive greater financial support. Domestic and family violence survivors see the largest proportional increase, with their special assistance payment rising ninefold.
Key changes
- Maximum financial assistance for primary victims of violent crime increased from $75,000 to $120,000
- Domestic and family violence recategorised from Category D to Category B, increasing special assistance from $1,000 to $9,000
- Special assistance payments increased across all categories: Category A to $15,000, B to $9,000, C to $6,000, D to $3,000
- Secondary and related victim caps raised from $50,000 to $75,000; funeral expenses from $8,000 to $15,000
- Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council expanded from 12 to 14 members, with at least one having lived experience as a crime victim
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
▸Committee10 Oct 2023 – 30 Nov 2023View Hansard
Referred to Legal Affairs and Safety Committee
▸Second Reading29 Nov 2023 – 30 Nov 2023View Hansard
▸17 members spoke17 support
Outlined the bill's provisions for recategorising domestic violence and increasing assistance payments. Stated the LNP will support the bill while criticising the government's record on crime.
“The LNP will be supporting this bill as victims of crime need to be supported and are crying out for help.”— 2023-11-30View Hansard
Spoke as a victim of crime herself, defending the bill's objectives while criticising the opposition for using victims as political props during the debate.
“I am a victim and I resent every time I see the opposition wheel out a victim just for the purpose of an electioneering slogan.”— 2023-11-30View Hansard
Shared personal experience as a crime victim and participation in a youth justice restorative program, supporting increased assistance for victims and calling for more trauma-informed support services.
“We need those community organisations and services to continue the great work that they do in supporting victims of crime.”— 2023-11-30View Hansard
Drew on his nursing experience to highlight the long-term trauma of crime victims, and supported the bill's increase in financial assistance and improved support structures.
“One of the main reasons I support this bill is its attempt to deal with that part of the victim of crime experience.”— 2023-11-30View Hansard
Confirmed LNP support while describing the bill as a missed opportunity to go further, criticising the government for cutting short the Legal Affairs and Safety Committee inquiry into victims of crime.
“I will start on a positive note, noting that the LNP is supporting the bill.”— 2023-11-30View Hansard
Supported the bill's increases to financial assistance for crime victims, highlighted local youth crime prevention programs in Mackay, and advocated for adding a victim of crime representative to the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council.
“All Queenslanders deserve to feel safe in their own homes and safe in their communities.”— 2023-11-30View Hansard
Strongly supported the increase in financial assistance payments, acknowledging the work of Bravehearts in his electorate, while calling the bill a step in the right direction but with more work needed.
“This increase is something I strongly support.”— 2023-11-30View Hansard
As Minister for Youth Justice, supported the bill reflecting the government's commitment to victims, highlighting the significant inquiries that led to the reforms and the Independent Commission of Inquiry into the forensic lab.
“I rise today to support the Victims of Crime Assistance and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023, which reflects our government's ongoing commitment to listening to the voices of victims.”— 2023-11-30View Hansard
Focused on the DNA lab failures and the need for a full commission of inquiry, supporting the bill's recategorisation of domestic violence for special assistance payments while criticising the government's handling of the forensic science crisis.
“Had it not been for this side of the House, there would not have been a commission of inquiry into the DNA lab.”— 2023-11-30View Hansard
Shared the story of a rape victim in her community to illustrate the importance of increased financial assistance, and praised the committee's work on the bill.
“I believe that this is a fine bill that is going to have strong support in my community.”— 2023-11-30View Hansard
Supported the bill's financial assistance for victims while emphasising the need for a DNA commission of inquiry, and criticised the government for rising crime rates and inadequate victim support.
“We support the victims of crime getting this assistance and this help.”— 2023-11-30View Hansard
Drew on 23 years of experience in corrective services and youth detention to support the bill, emphasising the need to both support victims and address root causes of offending.
“I rise to speak in support of the Victims of Crime Assistance and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023.”— 2023-11-30View Hansard
Supported the increase in victim compensation while arguing the bill is putting the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff, advocating for the KAP's remote sentencing proposal as a real solution to crime.
“Of course you cannot argue against the bill. We want to compensate victims, especially victims of violent crime. However, this feels like we are putting the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff.”— 2023-11-30View Hansard
Supported the bill's increased payments for victims while arguing it does not go far enough, particularly in addressing property crime victims and small business impacts in North Queensland.
“These kids need to be held to account and victims need to be compensated. I commend the bill to the House.”— 2023-11-30View Hansard
Welcomed the increased compensation but focused heavily on the forensic lab DNA testing failures, calling for a full commission of inquiry to address potentially over 100,000 samples needing retesting.
“While I welcome the increasing amounts of compensation and reimbursement in this bill for victims of crime, we want to see fewer victims.”— 2023-11-30View Hansard
Briefly supported the bill's focus on victims while arguing it does not go far enough, citing the ongoing car theft and crime crisis in Cairns and North Queensland.
“One good thing in this bill is that at least it is supporting victims. It does not go far enough.”— 2023-11-30View Hansard
In reply as Attorney-General, defended the bill's increases to financial assistance for victims, the recategorisation of domestic violence, the addition of victim representation on the Sentencing Advisory Council, and the urgency of the DNA sample retention amendments.
“We hear the voices of victim-survivors, and we will continue to listen and be guided by their experiences to help shape future reforms.”— 2023-11-30View Hansard
▸In Detail30 Nov 2023View Hansard
Amendment No. 1: Inserted new Part 2A amending the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000 to extend DNA sample destruction timeframes from 1 year to 3 years for samples taken between 13 June 2022 and 13 June 2025, and to allow review and retention of historical DNA samples taken between 1 January 2007 and 12 June 2022 that were required to be destroyed but had not been. Also included validation provisions for DNA samples retained under these new provisions.
Amendment No. 2: Amended the long title of the bill to insert a reference to the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000, reflecting the new DNA sample provisions added by Amendment No. 1.