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14 Sep

Domestic Violence Legislative Changes

Angry man overpowering his girlfriendIn response to the recent spate of domestic violence deaths, last week the Queensland Government has fast-tracked a number of recommendations of the former Governor-General, Quentin Bryce’s “Not Now, Not Ever” Report into Domestic Violence. The Legislation to be introduced to Parliament this week will:

  1. Increase maximum penalties for first-time breaches of DVOs to three years jail and subsequent breaches to up to five years jail.
  2. Give victims “special witness” status when giving evidence in court proceedings.
  3.  Record domestic violence-related offences on a person’s criminal history to reveal repeated family violence offending.