THE Queensland Government will invest $100-million in a raft of reforms and initiatives to provide enhanced support and protections to those caught up in domestic violence.
Initiatives include hundreds of extra Queensland Police Service (QPS) staff to provide specialised support, advocacy and liaison services for the victims of domestic violence.
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The program is in response to the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry that examined QPS responses to domestic violence and other associated issues.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Commission of Inquiry process was challenging, difficult and painful for all concerned.
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“Feelings are raw, but we now have the opportunity to do better,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“The Commission has given us a roadmap to reform and that is the road we will take.
“A $100-million investment that will deliver, among other initiatives, more victims liaison officers, more domestic and family violence support workers in police stations, more specialist domestic and family violence officers and more specialist police prosecutor.”
The Premier said her heart goes out to every person who finds themselves caught up in domestic violence.
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“When I was a child, people rarely spoke of domestic violence. But the world has changed and now thankfully we do speak of these matters and we have a renewed opportunity to make sure victims get every support they need and deserve.”
Police Minister Mark Ryan said the Commission of Inquiry made it clear QPS needed more personnel to support better responses to domestic and family violence.
“Government is committed to eradicating domestic and family violence and we support the intent of the recommendations which provides a roadmap for reform which will support QPS in better responding to domestic and family violence,” Mr Ryan said.
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However, Mr Ryan said the reform journey must start by acknowledging the report’s conclusions.
“The report clearly shows that people have been let down by the system,” he said.
Support
“We acknowledge your experiences and I am determined to support system change and system improvement.
“Given the significance of the recommendations, further consideration will be required to ensure their harmonisation with other report recommendations including the two Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce reports, the Mazerolle report, Coaldrake’s reform work, the COI into the CCC and various coronial recommendations.
Resources
“It is expected that these additional resources will number in the hundreds.
“And I note that the Queensland Police Union has already estimated that more than 1,000 additional personnel may be required.
“And these extra numbers will be in addition to the more than 2,000 extra police personnel the government is already delivering.
“But these additional personnel are important because they will provide the Queensland Police Service with enhanced capabilities to support and protect the victims of domestic violence.”
Reform
The reform package also includes a number of initiatives that address cultural issues within the Queensland Police Service that were raised by the Commission of Inquiry.
“A good police officer is the best friend a community can have and we want to ensure that every member of the Queensland Police Service is the best they can be.”
$100 Million Reform Package highlights:
- Roll-out of 300 domestic and family violence support workers in police stations across Queensland
- Roll-out of 30 additional domestic and family violence liaison officers across Queensland
- Roll-out of 30 additional Cultural Liaison Officers across Queensland
- Roll-out of 10 additional specialist Police Prosecutors for Circuit Court
- Appoint Special Coordinator for Police Reform
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