Queensland government suppresses domestic violence victim-survivor report despite critical police findings
Consensus Summary
The Queensland government has faced criticism for suppressing a report by a working group of domestic violence victim-survivors, which found systemic failures in police responses and called for independent oversight. Convened in early 2025, the group concluded its work in December, but the report—developed for public distribution—was never released. Both the Guardian and ABC confirm the report highlights inconsistent policing, delays in responses, and a lack of accountability, with victims bearing the burden of safety. The government claims it shared the report with external agencies in May, but the Guardian reports it was leaked after repeated refusals to release it publicly. Despite the report’s recommendations, the recent state budget cut funding for domestic violence prevention, and the government has not acted on key proposals, such as establishing a civilian review mechanism or a police integrity unit. Opposition figures accuse the government of prioritizing political messaging over reforms, while the government defends its actions as part of broader reforms to improve services.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- A working group of domestic violence victim-survivors was convened in early 2025 to identify system gaps and guide reforms.
- The working group concluded its work in December, but its summary report—developed for broader distribution—has never been publicly released.
- The report criticizes police responses as inconsistent, affected by individual officer attitudes, and lacking consistent operational approaches.
- The report calls for a civilian review mechanism to escalate concerns about inadequate police responses.
- The report highlights systemic barriers in housing, child protection, mental health, and legal systems for victim-survivors.
- The Queensland government claims it released the report to external agencies in May to begin reforms, but it was leaked to the media instead.
- The government’s DV Connect answer rate increased from 41.9% under Labor to 84% under the current government.
- The recent state budget cut funding for domestic and family violence prevention, despite the report’s recommendations.
- The report was launched in May last year (2023) to identify reform opportunities.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The working group was convened by Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Minister Amanda Camm, who criticized the former Labor government for failing to implement recommendations.
- Camm’s office refused a Guardian request to release the report this week, and she did not address questions about its suppression on Monday or Tuesday.
- The report notes delays in police responses, breaches of Domestic Violence Orders (DVOs) being minimized, and an entrenched culture of inconsistent policing.
- The government scrapped Queensland Police Service’s specialist domestic and family violence command and framed case management as not ‘core business.’
- The government claims a ‘record high’ investment in domestic and family violence prevention despite cuts in the recent state budget.
- The report calls for nationally standard risk assessment tools and better victim-centered practices in policing.
- Shadow Minister Shannon Fentiman accused the government of wanting to keep the report secret, calling it evidence Minister Amanda Camm was ‘not up to the job.’
- The report was described as ‘marked by fragmentation, inconsistency, and significant procedural and cultural barriers,’ with victims bearing the burden of safety.
- The government supported 8,000 people with housing and homelessness services, but did not fund a pilot program for DFV victim housing in three south-east Queensland locations last week.
- The state’s corruption watchdog recommended a police integrity unit in 2023, but no action has been taken.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian states the report was never publicly released, while the ABC claims the government released it to external agencies in May.
- The Guardian says the report was leaked to the media, but the ABC implies the government’s secrecy forced victim-survivors to leak it themselves.
- The Guardian mentions the report was developed for broader distribution in December, while the ABC states it was released to agencies in May last year (2023).
Source Articles
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