Commission of Inquiry into Queensland Police Service Responses to Domestic and Family Violence

On 10 May 2022, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced an independent Commission of Inquiry into policing responses to domestic and family violence as recommended by the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce report, ‘Hear her voice’ Hear her voice – Queensland’s women heard loud and clear in Taskforce’s first report | Women's Safety and Justice Taskforce

Also on 10 May 2022, the Government provided it’s response to the report www.qld.gov.au/womenstaskforceresponse including supporting recommendation 2, to establish a Commission of Inquiry to ensure full public confidence in the ability of our police to protect victims and to hold perpetrators to account.

Her Honour Judge Deborah Richards Her Honour Judge Deborah Richards | Supreme Court Library Queensland has been appointed as the Commissioner for the Inquiry.

The Terms of Reference for the inquiry have been published on the Government Gazette at 11.05.22 - [06] Extra Gazette.fm and are based on the Taskforce report findings.

In summary, the Commission will examine:

  • whether there are any cultural issues within the Queensland Police Service that negatively affects police investigations of domestic and family violence
  • if there are any cultural issues, whether these cultural issues have contributed to the overrepresentation of First Nations people in the criminal justice system
  • the capability, capacity and structure of the Queensland Police Service to respond to domestic and family violence, and
  • the adequacy of the current conduct and complaints handling processes against police officers.

The Inquiry will commence on Monday 30 May 2022 and a report is due to the Premier and Minister for Olympics, the Attorney-General and Minister for Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, and Minister for Police and Corrective Services and Minister for Fire and Emergency Services by 4 October 2022.

Further information on the Inquiry will be provided in coming weeks.

Last updated: 3 November, 2024

Last reviewed: 13 May, 2022