Criminal Justice Legislation (Sexual Violence and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2024
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
Referred to Community Safety and Legal Affairs Committee
That the Respect at Work and Other Matters Amendment Bill, as
The motion passed.
▸Show individual votesHide individual votes
Ayes (51)
Noes (38)
▸12 members spoke12 support
Introduced the bill as the third and final major stage of reform in response to the Women's Safety and Justice Taskforce, implementing reforms to improve the justice system's response to sexual violence.
“The Miles government is committed to making the necessary changes to end all forms of domestic, family and sexual violence in Queensland.”— 2024-09-10View Hansard
Did not oppose the criminal justice bill as it implements considered recommendations of the Women's Safety and Justice Taskforce relating to sexual violence protections.
“In respect of the criminal justice legislation bill, the LNP will not be opposing that bill.”— 2024-09-10View Hansard
Supported the bill's implementation of taskforce recommendations to end domestic, family and sexual violence in Queensland.
“This bill further reflects the government's unwavering commitment to end all forms of domestic, family and sexual violence in Queensland.”— 2024-09-10View Hansard
Supported the bill implementing Women's Safety and Justice Taskforce recommendations particularly around strangulation offences and position-of-authority provisions.
“It is the victims and it is the Red Rose Foundation that own this amendment, and I hope it goes a long way to ensuring those victim-survivors get justice.”— 2024-09-10View Hansard
Strongly supported the bill as implementing key Women's Safety and Justice Taskforce recommendations to improve victim-survivor experiences in the justice system.
“The Women's Safety and Justice Taskforce has absolutely advanced the discussion of women's experiences in the criminal justice system in Queensland.”— 2024-09-10View Hansard
Supported the bill's position-of-authority provisions to protect 16 and 17 year olds from predatory behaviour by those in positions of trust.
“This is predatory behaviour. Regardless of the age of consent, those involved should be held to account.”— 2024-09-10View Hansard
Supported the bill implementing Hear her voice recommendations including position-of-authority offences while noting committee recommendation for review of listed persons.
“This recommendation must be actioned.”— 2024-09-10View Hansard
As committee chair, supported the bill implementing the third tranche of Women's Safety and Justice Taskforce recommendations to improve experiences of women and girls.
“As the father of a daughter, they are the words that give hope that one day our daughters' homes, family environments, workplaces and experiences when engaging with the criminal justice system will finally be free from the adverse experiences that many endure today.”— 2024-09-10View Hansard
Supported the bill and committee recommendations being addressed in amendments, acknowledging these are important changes for victim-survivors.
“The Greens support this bill and the recommendations of the committee which appear to be addressed in the amendments circulated by Attorney-General.”— 2024-09-10View Hansard
Supported the bill's position-of-authority offences to protect 16 and 17 year olds from adults in positions of care, supervision or authority.
“This offence and the related amendments are intended to capture and deter members of the community who may use the influence, trust and power that is vested in them when a young person is under their care, supervision or authority.”— 2024-09-10View Hansard
Supported the bill's improvements to court experiences for victim-survivors including prerecording evidence, expert evidence provisions, and strangulation offence clarifications.
“The measures that are in this bill that improve things for victim-survivors are certainly welcomed and very much supported.”— 2024-09-10View Hansard
Supported the bill's measures to help victim-survivors and acknowledged the Small Steps 4 Hannah Foundation's work on coercive control awareness.
“I am pleased to say that the Attorney-General was very sympathetic and we were able to get some other arrangements in place so that there is much better protection for those victim-survivors.”— 2024-09-10View Hansard
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill implements major reforms to Queensland's criminal justice system to better support victim-survivors of sexual violence and domestic violence. It creates new protections for young people from adults in positions of trust, makes court processes less traumatic for victims, and updates evidence rules to allow juries to hear about patterns of offending behaviour.
Who it affects
Victim-survivors of sexual violence and domestic violence will experience significant improvements to court processes. Young people aged 16-17 gain protection from adults in positions of authority. Adults in supervisory roles over teenagers face new criminal liability for sexual misconduct.
Key changes
- New criminal offence for adults who engage in sexual acts with 16 or 17 year olds under their care, supervision or authority, with penalties up to 14 years imprisonment
- Victims in sexual offence and domestic violence cases can give evidence from a separate room and have a support person present, with courts presumed to grant these arrangements
- All special witness evidence in sexual offence trials must be videorecorded for use in any retrial, reducing how many times victims must testify
- Expert witnesses can now explain to juries why victims may delay reporting or maintain contact with offenders
- Evidence of an accused person's pattern of behaviour or past similar conduct is easier to admit in court
- Non-contact orders extended from maximum 2 years to 5 years, with increased breach penalties
- Prisoners on remand can participate in rehabilitation programs without their statements being used against them in court
- A mandatory review of all Women's Safety and Justice Taskforce reforms must occur 5 years after the last amendment commences