Penalties and Sentences (Sexual Offences) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025

Supported the bill's reforms to protect victim-survivors of sexual assault and rape, but criticised the LNP government for delaying implementation and failing to address all 28 QSAC recommendations. Announced Labor would move an amendment for the bill to take effect on assent.

“Justice for victims should not be political, which is why we are going to support the bill and move the amendment I have mentioned. Victim-survivors deserve a justice system that recognises their trauma, protects their dignity and holds offenders properly accountable.”— 2025-09-17View Hansard

Introduced the bill as Attorney-General, implementing four QSAC recommendations on sexual offence sentencing. Defended the government's approach as careful and methodical, criticising Labor's earlier rushed amendments as flawed.

“The Crisafulli government is putting victims first and restoring integrity to the criminal justice system in this great state.”— 2025-09-16View Hansard

Spoke in strong support of the bill, drawing on her 28 years in the Queensland Police Service investigating sexual offences against young people. Praised the reforms to good-character evidence, recognition of victim harm, and protections for 16- and 17-year-old victims.

“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

Supported the bill as shadow Attorney-General but strongly criticised the government for delaying action for six months. Moved an amendment to bring commencement forward to assent rather than 1 November 2025.

“Labor supports this bill because victim-survivors deserve these changes.”— 2025-09-16View Hansard

Generally supportive of the bill's amendments but cautioned that sentencing changes are no substitute for investment in therapeutic interventions and prevention. Expressed concern about elevating victim harm from a sentencing consideration to a sentencing purpose, and supported the opposition's amendment to commence the bill on assent.

“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 and in genuine prevention through mass education and cultural change.”— 2025-09-17View Hansard

Spoke as committee chair and former police detective who investigated sexual offences. Praised the bill for striking the right balance between competing rights and emphasised the reforms to good-character evidence.

“This bill represents a significant step forward in recognising harm to victims, in ensuring sentencing better reflects community expectations and in restoring faith in a system that too often feels stacked against survivors.”— 2025-09-16View Hansard

Supported the bill as an important step forward in strengthening Queensland's justice system. Defended the government's considered approach and criticised Labor's earlier 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

Supported the bill as shadow police minister but criticised the government for sitting on the QSAC report for six months and delaying commencement until November. Urged support for Labor's amendment for immediate commencement.

“Let me be clear from the outset: the Queensland Labor opposition supports this bill. We support its intent, its direction and its core reforms.”— 2025-09-16View Hansard

Supported the bill but strongly criticised the government for 119 days of deliberate delay, arguing Labor forced the government to act. Called for the bill to commence on assent, stating over 1,600 victims would face court without protections by the November commencement date.

“Let's be clear from the start: the only reason that this bill is here is Labor acted and Labor forced this government to act.”— 2025-09-17View Hansard

Spoke as a committee member in support of the bill, highlighting the Your Reference Ain't Relevant campaign and the bipartisan support the bill enjoys. Commended each of the key reforms.

“Passing this legislation will ensure that experiences of victims and the harms that are caused by sexual assault and rape are properly acknowledged in court proceedings.”— 2025-09-16View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill as Minister for Youth Justice and Victim Support, highlighting the reforms to good-character evidence and citing victim submissions to the committee. Attacked Labor for hypocrisy in defending their own members while opposing 'good bloke' defences.

“Under our laws, submissions about character are only relevant in relation to rehabilitation or risk of reoffending and they should not ever be a shield to minimise or mitigate the sentence or the harm that a rapist or sexual predator has inflicted.”— 2025-09-17View Hansard

Supported the bill but criticised the government for inaction, noting the QSAC report sat on the Attorney-General's desk for five months. Called for immediate commencement and a clear plan for the remaining 24 recommendations.

“The Queensland Labor opposition supports this bill, we support the four Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council recommendations that underpin it, and we support the implementation of sentencing reform that recognises the gravity of sexual violence and the long-term harm it causes, but we do not support delay.”— 2025-09-16View Hansard

Supported the bill but criticised the government for delaying implementation, arguing these reforms should commence immediately on assent. Questioned why the government rejected Labor's offer of bipartisan cooperation to pass the bill sooner.

“We come into this debate with a hand extended in bipartisanship. We wanted to ensure that the recommendations were implemented as quickly as possible. We wanted to ensure that they provided immediate support to victim-survivors. Unfortunately, the government slapped that hand of bipartisanship away.”— 2025-09-17View Hansard

Spoke as a committee member in strong support, emphasising the reforms to good-character evidence and highlighting that Queensland would be the first jurisdiction to introduce such restrictions.

“I want to emphasise that under these reforms a sexual offender cannot simply rely on claims of being a 'good bloke' to lessen their sentence.”— 2025-09-16View Hansard

Supported the bill as Minister for Women, particularly emphasising the victim impact statement reforms and good-character evidence changes. Shared a de-identified story about a disabled child victim unable to give an impact statement.

“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

Supported the bill as a committee member but was sharply critical of government delay. Noted victim advocacy groups believe the reforms will not change much as lawyers will find loopholes. Urged immediate implementation.

“This is absolutely needed and I support this bill and the objectives of the bill, but I would also like to say what many of the victims advocacy groups that gave evidence believe. They are in court with victim-survivors more than anyone in this room will ever be, so I will take their word for it when they say that they do not think this will change anything.”— 2025-09-16View Hansard

Supported the bill, sharing a constituent's experience with DNA evidence failures under the previous government. Highlighted the importance of the statutory aggravating factor for 16- and 17-year-old victims and the restriction on good-character evidence.

“It would be pretty heinous for a victim to be present in a courtroom after their perpetrator has been found guilty and is trying to get their sentence reduced by having a bunch of people say, 'They're a pretty good person.'”— 2025-09-17View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill and criticised Labor's record on victims, including the forensics lab failures. Praised the bill's reforms on good-character evidence and recognition of harm.

“When people ask what the LNP stands for, I will point to this bill. We believe victims should never be an afterthought.”— 2025-09-16View Hansard

Spoke in full support of the bill, praising the four QSAC recommendations being implemented and the government's broader justice reform agenda. Criticised Labor's earlier flawed amendments.

“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

Supported the bill but criticised the government for having to be dragged to implement QSAC recommendations. Noted only four of 28 recommendations are addressed and called for removing the delayed commencement clause.

“With 3,898 rape and attempted rape offences recorded in 2023-24—almost 75 offences a week—delaying the protections in this bill is unconscionable and has been unconscionable.”— 2025-09-16View Hansard

Supported the bill as Minister for Police, focusing on the reforms to good-character evidence and victim impact statements. Argued the reforms prioritise victims' rights over criminals' rights.

“It is self-evident that the likelihood of a convicted rapist being a person of good character is virtually nil.”— 2025-09-17View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill and defended the government's timely approach. Criticised Labor's decade of inaction on crime and their rushed, flawed amendments. Detailed each of the four key reforms.

“We have engaged in a prompt and diligent process—no delay but also no cutting of corners.”— 2025-09-16View Hansard

Supported the bill as Minister for Child Safety and Prevention of DFV, praising the Attorney-General's responsiveness to QSAC recommendations and the amendments to the blue card system. Criticised Labor's record on the DNA lab debacle and rape kit access.

“Sentences should consider if sexual offences are committed against a vulnerable child, sentences should consider harm to a victim, being a 'good bloke' should not be a stock-standard defence for a sexual offender.”— 2025-09-17View Hansard

Supported the bill but criticised the government for inconsistency on urgency, noting the Nature Conservation bill was declared urgent while this bill was not. Urged members to support Labor's amendment for immediate commencement.

“The LNP say they want to put victims first, but their actions in relation to this bill show that this is just false rhetoric.”— 2025-09-16View Hansard

Supported the bill as reflecting the government's commitment to victims' rights, outlining the four key reforms to sentencing including the aggravating factor for child victims and restrictions on good-character evidence.

“Under our laws, a sexual offender will not be able to rely on evidence that they are a 'good bloke' because of references or the involvement they have had with community.”— 2025-09-17View Hansard

Spoke in support of the bill, emphasising its importance for her electorate. Highlighted the recognition of harm as a sentencing purpose and the reforms to good-character evidence.

“Every survivor of sexual assault carries with them a trauma that never fully leaves them. For too long the justice system has not given the trauma the recognition it deserves. This bill will change that.”— 2025-09-16View Hansard

Supported the bill, noting his longstanding concern about sentencing disparities between white-collar crime and sexual offences. Defended the committee process and criticised Labor's earlier flawed amendments.

“Good people do not rape people. Courts should not consider good-character evidence in relation to mitigating circumstances for offending but only, as is articulated in this bill, where it relates to an individual's risk of reoffending or chance of rehabilitation.”— 2025-09-17View Hansard

Spoke on behalf of Katter's Australian Party in support of the bill. Strongly supported reforms on good-character evidence and child aggravating factors. Also raised concerns about the blue card system failing Indigenous communities.

“When someone has committed a sexual assault or a sexual offence in Queensland, a good-character reference should never be taken into consideration in sentencing.”— 2025-09-16View Hansard

Replied to the second reading debate as Attorney-General, defending the government's considered approach and fixed commencement date. Criticised Labor's record on responding to QSAC reports and the DNA lab debacle.

“This is how good government works: through a thoughtful, careful, calm and methodical approach to reform, with the ultimate goal of putting victims first.”— 2025-09-17View Hansard

Spoke in support of the bill, citing statistics on sexual violence in Far North Queensland and nationally. Emphasised that good character will no longer be an excuse for sexual violence.

“'He is a good guy' or 'he just made a mistake' will no longer be an excuse for sexual violence. Good character with good references will no longer mean lighter sentencing.”— 2025-09-16View Hansard

Supported the bill as the former Attorney-General who commissioned the QSAC review. Criticised the 165-day delay since Labor offered bipartisan support and quoted victim-survivors from the QSAC report.

“The courage of those victim-survivors demands action, not delay.”— 2025-09-16View Hansard

Supported the bill and defended the government's implementation timeline. Argued the commencement date is necessary to prepare courts and practitioners for the changes.

“Any mechanism which alters the culture of society by taking away the assumption that somebody is an upstanding citizen or that because someone has made a contribution to society that somehow lessens their culpability or reduces the sentence to which they should be subjected is a good thing.”— 2025-09-16View Hansard

Supported the bill but argued the government has been playing politics with victims. Criticised the 165-day delay and urged the government to accept Labor's amendment for immediate commencement.

“There is no universe where someone can be called a 'good bloke' if they have raped or sexually assaulted someone—no universe.”— 2025-09-16View Hansard

Spoke in support as a former police officer, praising the government's legislative program and the committee's work. Highlighted the reforms to good-character evidence and victim impact statements.

“This bill removes the inference the victim has not been harmed by an offender if there is not a victim impact statement. This removes that and, again, I welcome that.”— 2025-09-16View Hansard

Supported the bill but criticised the delay in commencement. Argued that justice delayed is justice denied and that every week of delay leaves 75 more victims without these protections.

“Justice delayed is justice denied. Every day we wait is another day too many.”— 2025-09-16View Hansard

Spoke in support, detailing the specific clauses implementing each QSAC recommendation. Criticised Labor's earlier amendments as flawed and highlighted the DNA forensic laboratory backlog.

“The Crisafulli government is taking a measured, consultative and methodical approach to the QSAC recommendations.”— 2025-09-16View Hansard

Supported the bill but criticised the government for putting politics over victim-survivors. Argued the Attorney-General sat on the QSAC report for six months and the committee process was unnecessary given its sole recommendation was to pass the bill.

“This government says that it puts victims first; however, it is very clear in the way that it has dealt with rape victim-survivors through this process that that is not the case.”— 2025-09-16View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill, praising the Attorney-General and the committee. Criticised Labor's decade of inaction and dismissed opposition complaints about speed of implementation.

“At the heart of this bill is recognition that rape is rape and children are children, whether 14 or 17.”— 2025-09-16View Hansard

Supported the bill as a step in the right direction, focusing on the good-character evidence reforms. Noted some stakeholders wanted the reforms to go further and suggested a statutory post-implementation review.

“Ultimately, we must give priority to victims of crime—whose submissions, while distressing, offer the voice of those directly impacted—and ensure their trauma and perspectives are given priority in the legal process.”— 2025-09-16View Hansard

Spoke in support, thanking local police and the Attorney-General. Detailed each of the four key reforms and their importance for victims in his electorate of Mackay.

“No longer, for example, will standing in Mackay's business community or volunteering at a local club be a shield against accountability for horrific crimes.”— 2025-09-16View Hansard

Supported the bill and echoed calls for immediate commencement. Reflected on Labor's track record including coercive control laws and Hear her voice recommendations. Cautioned about language used in debate as a trigger for victims.

“It is imperative that the provisions must commence immediately. I do believe—and I echo what others on this side have said—that every day delayed in getting these provisions through means more victims unable to reap the benefits of these changes.”— 2025-09-16View Hansard

Spoke as Minister for Sport in support, praising the Attorney-General and defending the government's swift action. Detailed each of the four key reforms.

“It goes without saying that if you have been sentenced on a sexual offence you obviously do not have good character; nor should you be relying on references that would somehow seek the court's sympathy when you have committed such a heinous crime.”— 2025-09-16View Hansard

Supported the bill but expressed concern that commencement is delayed until November despite bipartisan support. Quoted stakeholder submissions on the trauma of good-character evidence for victim-survivors.

“As the Attorney-General mentioned in the House this morning, justice delayed is justice denied, and this is a case in point.”— 2025-09-16View Hansard

Spoke in support as the final speaker before debate was adjourned. Highlighted that Queensland will be the first Australian jurisdiction to restrict good-character evidence and criticised Labor's earlier rushed amendments.

“Being a 'good bloke' to some should not be an excuse for terrible actions that have sentenced their victims to a life of trauma.”— 2025-09-16View Hansard