New legislation in Queensland allows police to issue immediate 12-month protections for victims of domestic and family violence. This measure has been strongly endorsed by Sue and Lloyd Clarke, whose daughter, Hannah Clarke, and her three children—Aaliyah, 6, Laianah, 4, and Trey, 3—were tragically murdered in February 2020. Their deaths sparked a national conversation on domestic violence and led to the introduction of coercive control laws in May.
The Clarkes have expressed their support for the latest legislative efforts aimed at reducing domestic violence in Queensland. “We welcome these new laws coming in,” said Lloyd Clarke. He emphasized that the new tracking systems and police protection orders will shift responsibility back to the perpetrators, thereby enhancing victim safety. Lloyd noted that Hannah had a positive experience with the police, suggesting that if these laws had been in place earlier, her family might have been saved.
The legislation enables on-the-spot protections and allows courts to issue GPS trackers for high-risk domestic violence offenders, particularly those who have violated existing orders. The first 150 monitoring devices are set to be rolled out in October. Additionally, a trial will introduce video-recorded evidence across Queensland to alleviate the trauma experienced by victims in court.
Sue Clarke stated, “Every little resource we can have to add to keeping our women safe, we save one more life. We can’t ask for more than that.” The introduction of these laws comes in response to a significant rise in domestic violence incidents in Queensland. According to a review by the Queensland Police, officers responded to approximately 180,000 domestic and family violence calls each year.
The number of calls related to domestic violence has surged by 218 percent from 2012 to 2024. The most recent Crime Report Queensland 2023/24 indicated that breaches of domestic violence protection orders have surpassed drug offenses for the first time. Over the past five years, incidents of breaches have nearly doubled, rising from 24,142 to 41,523, according to state government data.
Queensland’s Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Minister Amanda Camm emphasized that the legislation prioritizes victims. “This is all about putting victims first. This is all about giving police the resources and the tools that they need to be able to get to the next victim,” she remarked. Camm reiterated the government’s commitment to holding perpetrators accountable and sending a strong message against domestic violence.
Support services remain available for those affected by domestic violence. Individuals can reach out to 1800 RESPECT at 1800 737 732, Lifeline at 13 11 14, and the Men’s Referral Service at 1300 766 491.
