Emergency Domestic Violence Reforms Announced in Qld

Following a number of sickening domestic violence attacks in Queensland this week, the state’s premier Anna Palaszczuk yesterday announced an emergency response to the situation.

Under the “most comprehensive reform package ever initiated in Queensland”, priority will now be given to anyone attending the front counter of a police station with domestic violence issues, Ms Palaszczuk said.

“You will not be standing in a queue,” the Premier said, adding that quality checks would be performed on all domestic violence order requests by senior police supervisors. “My government is acting quickly and responsibly. “We need the community out there saying enough is enough.”

The actions come in response to the death of Gold Coast woman Tara Brown, who appealed to police for help and was turned away just days before she was run off the road and severely bashed by her former partner.

In the same week, a woman was fatally shot at Helensvale McDonald’s by her estranged husband who was serving a domestic violence order, a woman was chased with a machete by her ex-husband in Wacol and a six-year-old was murdered in her Brisbane home.

“Events of the past week have both shocked and galvanised the community. The Government has decided to immediately implement changes,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“This is a vital initiative, to establish a true picture of the lead-up to these tragic cases, to identify what systemic changes must be made as a priority, and establish a clear framework to prevent future tragedies.”

Former governor-general of Australia Dame Quentin Bryce, who has been named chair of the domestic violence reforms, said the focus would be on the “absolutely critical” window of time when a woman makes an initial call for help. “The way officers deal with domestic violence victims will be overhauled”¦300 body-worn cameras will go to Gold Coast police officers,” Dame Quentin said.

The new, integrated response will trial at Beenleigh and Logan first, with two more sites to follow later in the year “” one in a rural site and another in an indigenous community. “There will be more government initiatives in the days, weeks, and months ahead, as we work to tackle this scourge on our society,” Ms Palaszczuk said. “But I must stress that this is not up to the Government alone. Domestic and family violence can only be eradicated if we respond as a community.

“Together, we must insist on respectful relationships; together, we must refuse to turn a blind eye to violence, and together, we must say enough is enough.”

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