Penalties and Sentences (Sexual Offences) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
▸1 procedural vote
Vote to end debate
Debate was ended and a vote was forced.
A procedural vote to end debate and force an immediate decision. Sometimes called a “gag motion”.
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Ayes (54)
Noes (35)
Introduced the bill as Attorney-General, implementing four recommendations from the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council report on sexual assault sentencing. Key reforms include treating child victim age as an aggravating factor, restricting problematic 'good character' evidence, adding victim harm recognition to sentencing purposes, and ensuring no adverse inference from absence of victim impact statements.
“This bill continues to deliver on the Crisafulli government's commitment for a fair and efficient justice system that prioritises the rights of victims and makes our communities safer.”— 2025-05-20View Hansard
Referred to Justice, Integrity and Community Safety Committee
The Justice, Integrity and Community Safety Committee examined the bill over seven weeks, receiving 197 written submissions and holding a public hearing. The committee recommended the bill be passed. The bill implements four recommendations from the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council to improve sentencing for sexual assault and rape, introduces a new offence for falsely representing a government agency, and amends the blue card system. Labor members filed a statement of reservation criticising the government for not passing the bill sooner.
Key findings (5)
- The bill implements four of 28 QSAC recommendations on sentencing for sexual assault and rape, including a statutory aggravating factor for offences against children aged 16 or 17
- Stakeholders broadly supported the reforms, particularly qualifying the use of good character evidence as a mitigating factor in sexual offence sentencing
- The committee found the bill compatible with human rights under the Human Rights Act 2019 and consistent with fundamental legislative principles
- The bill also introduces a new offence for falsely representing a government agency to combat scam activity
- Amendments to the blue card system respond to recommendations from the Queensland Family and Child Commission review
Recommendations (1)
- The committee recommends that the Bill be passed.
Vote on a motion
Vote on whether to prevent the Attorney-General from continuing to speak during consideration in detail. The opposition (ALP) moved that she be 'not further heard' after arguing her contribution was tedious and repetitious. The motion was defeated 35-49.
The motion was rejected.
A formal vote on whether to accept a proposal — this could be the bill itself, an amendment, or another motion.
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Ayes (35)
Noes (49)
Vote on a motion
The motion was rejected.
A formal vote on whether to accept a proposal — this could be the bill itself, an amendment, or another motion.
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Ayes (36)
Noes (50)
▸15 members spoke11 support4 mixed
Supports the bill's reforms but strongly criticises the government for delays and failure to declare the bill urgent. Argues victims have faced nine months of delay and moved for the bill to take effect on assent.
“We support reforms that strengthen protections for victim-survivors. We support measures that ensure courts recognise the seriousness of these offences and the serious harm they cause, but this LNP government continues to put politics before victims at every turn.”— 2025-09-17View Hansard
Strongly supports the bill as a former police officer who spent 28 years in the Queensland Police Service, including investigating sexual offences against children in the Juvenile Aid Bureau.
“This bill represents a clear step forward in restoring faith in our justice system, a key focus at the core of the Crisafulli government's commitment to our Queensland community.”— 2025-09-17View Hansard
Generally supportive of the amendments but expresses concern that they are no substitute for therapeutic interventions and prevention through education. Raises alarm about the elevation of victim harm from a consideration to a purpose of sentencing, seeing it as reflective of preference for retributive punishment over rehabilitation.
“I am generally supportive of the amendments made by this bill, but this is once again a circumstance where the proposed changes are no substitute for increased investment in addressing the impacts of sexual violence through therapeutic interventions and structural change.”— 2025-09-17View Hansard
Strongly supports the bill as implementing four significant recommendations from the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council's report. Criticises Labor's earlier rushed amendments as poorly drafted and fundamentally flawed.
“Each of these reforms is measured, considered and properly framed. That stands in stark contrast with the Labor opposition's attempt earlier this year to rush through last-minute amendments.”— 2025-09-17View Hansard
Supports the bill but strongly criticises the government for delays. Claims Labor forced the government to act and that the government's delay has created more victims. Argues the reforms should already be law.
“The only reason that this bill is here is Labor acted and Labor forced this government to act. In 2023 Labor tasked the Sentencing Advisory Council to review sentences for rape and sexual assault.”— 2025-09-17View Hansard
Strongly supports the bill as Minister for Youth Justice and Victim Support. Emphasises the government's commitment to putting victims first and criticises Labor for hypocrisy in their use of 'good bloke' defences for their own members.
“For too long victims of rape and sexual violence have been left behind in this state—their voices ignored, their pain minimised and their rights overshadowed. The Crisafulli government is committed to delivering a fair and effective justice system that puts the rights of victims first.”— 2025-09-17View Hansard
Supports the bill but attributes its existence to Labor's work in government and pressure in opposition. Criticises the government for not agreeing to immediate commencement on assent.
“This bill is here because of the Labor Party. This bill is here because of the work that Labor started in government around tasking the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council to conduct this very thorough work.”— 2025-09-17View Hansard
Supports the bill as Minister for Women. Emphasises the importance of victim impact statement reforms and the 'good bloke' evidence restrictions, noting these address concerns raised by victims.
“This legislation will make it very clear that the absence of an impact statement does not mean that there is an absence of harm to the victim.”— 2025-09-17View Hansard
Supports the bill and emphasises the government's commitment to putting victims first. Shares a constituent's story about DNA evidence failures under the previous government.
“The key part of the bill is our unwavering commitment to victims. That is the key part of the bill. We need to create an evidentiary trowel that people can take to court and put into context what happened.”— 2025-09-17View Hansard
Strongly supports the bill as trauma-informed and victim-focused legislation. Praises the Crisafulli government's progress on community safety reforms in 10 months.
“This bill is not the end. It is a milestone. It is a signal to every victim that their voice matters. It is a message to every offender that justice will be served.”— 2025-09-17View Hansard
Supports the bill as Minister for Police. Emphasises that defendants will no longer be able to seek sentence reductions by relying on good-character evidence and that victim impact statement absence cannot imply no harm.
“It is self-evident that the likelihood of a convicted rapist being a person of good character is virtually nil. An offender will have to make sure any restricted evidence directly relates to their prospect of rehabilitation or risks of reoffending.”— 2025-09-17View Hansard
Supports the bill as Minister for Child Safety. Criticises Labor for political stunts and rushing legislation, and praises the government's responsive approach to QSAC recommendations.
“The Crisafulli government is continuing to deliver on our promises, doing what we said we would, and we are continuing to put victims first. This bill is yet another example of our government's proactive approach to supporting victims of crime.”— 2025-09-17View Hansard
Supports the bill as implementing key recommendations from the QSAC report. Emphasises the government's commitment to putting victims at the heart of the justice system.
“At the heart of this system are the rights of victims. When you put victims first you make our communities safer.”— 2025-09-17View Hansard
Supports the bill and emphasises that sexual offences are the most heinous crimes, particularly against children. Notes that Labor's rushed amendments would have created shortfalls in the legislation.
“It is my view that sexual offences are the most heinous of crimes, particularly those against a child. I want to acknowledge that this bill seeks to improve the sentencing framework for those offenders who are found guilty of sexual assault and rape.”— 2025-09-17View Hansard
As Attorney-General, strongly defends the bill in reply. Rejects criticism about delays and emphasises the government's calm, considered and methodical approach to reform. Notes Labor's failure to act on previous QSAC reports.
“The bill implements a number of the recommendations from the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council's report into sentencing for rape and sexual assault as well as makes other legislative amendments—delivering on a number of important criminal justice reforms to ensure the criminal justice system remains contemporary and responsive to community expectations.”— 2025-09-17View Hansard
That the amendment be agreed to
Vote on the opposition's amendment to change the bill's commencement date from November 2025 to the date of assent, so the sentencing reforms would take effect immediately. The amendment was defeated 35-50.
The motion passed.
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Ayes (49)
Noes (35)
That the amendment be agreed to
The motion was defeated.
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Ayes (36)
Noes (53)
That the motion, as amended, be agreed to
Procedural vote related to the passage of the bill through consideration in detail after the opposition's amendment was defeated.
The motion passed.
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Ayes (49)
Noes (35)
Supports the bill but moved amendment to change commencement date to assent rather than November. Criticises government for delays while noting they declared other legislation urgent.
“We all agree that good-character references and the people who perpetrate crimes against children should be dealt with more seriously. We all agree with that. Every day that we wait, another woman who is the subject of rape or sexual assault is not afforded these protections in law.”— 2025-09-17View Hansard
As committee chair, opposes the opposition's amendment and supports the government's fixed commencement date as providing certainty for courts and legal practitioners.
“Unlike Labor, we will not spring complex changes on the legal profession for political points with no time to prepare. Instead, we have committed to a fixed commencement date. This provides certainty.”— 2025-09-17View Hansard
Supports the bill but strongly advocates for the opposition's amendment to have immediate commencement, arguing victims going to court next week deserve these protections now.
“I am asking for a victim of crime, who will be sitting there in court next week, having finally reached the end of the justice system, to have this protection. Why can't they have the protection?”— 2025-09-17View Hansard
Supports the bill and opposes the opposition's amendment, arguing commencement on assent would not give prosecutors enough time to prepare cases to defend victims' rights.
“The problem with commencement on assent, which the opposition want to prosecute, is that it does not furnish any prosecutor enough time to prepare their case to defend the rights of the victim.”— 2025-09-17View Hansard
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill reforms how courts sentence sexual offenders and creates a new offence for impersonating government agencies. It implements recommendations from the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council to better recognise victim harm and limit offenders using their 'good reputation' to reduce sentences.
Who it affects
Sexual assault victims benefit from stronger recognition of harm in sentencing. Offenders may face longer sentences. Everyone gains protection from government impersonation scams through the new criminal offence.
Sexual offence sentencing reforms
Implements four recommendations from the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council to strengthen how courts sentence sexual offenders, including better recognition of victim harm and restrictions on using 'good character' as a defence.
- Courts must now treat recognition of harm to victims as an explicit sentencing purpose
- Good character evidence (reputation, community standing, references) can only be a mitigating factor if it relates to rehabilitation prospects
- When victims of rape or sexual assault are aged 16-17, their age must be treated as an aggravating factor
- Courts cannot assume an offence caused little harm just because no victim impact statement was provided
Government impersonation offence
Creates a new criminal offence for falsely claiming to be a government agency or to act on behalf of one, designed to combat government impersonation scams.
- New offence for falsely representing to be a government agency or acting with its authority
- Maximum penalty of 3 years imprisonment
- Applies to all public sector entities under the Public Sector Act 2022
Crimes at sea and blue card fixes
Technical updates to align Queensland's crimes at sea legislation with Commonwealth law and fix unintended gaps in the blue card system.
- Updates references to repealed Commonwealth petroleum legislation
- Restores blue card suspension powers that were accidentally removed by earlier reforms