Exclusive: Leaked document from LNP-convened panel heavily criticises police responses to family violence and calls for civilian oversight.
The Queensland government has buried the findings of its own working group of domestic violence victim-survivors after their report was heavily critical of police responses and called for a “civilian review mechanism” to escalate complaints about police.
The Liberal National government has repeatedly said it would “put victims at the heart” of the state’s justice policies.
Panel members say they cannot speak publicly about the process. One source said on condition of anonymity: “You can say all that you want about being tough on crime and putting victims first, but if it doesn’t come with CCTV footage for the news, then it’s clearly not a government priority.”
Since the LNP came to office, the Queensland police service has scrapped its specialist domestic and family violence command and released a reform plan that said domestic and family violence case management was not “core business”. Police have been given additional powers to issue “on the spot” directions that have seriously concerned women’s advocates.