- The Crisafulli Government is marking National Victims of Crime Day with two major reforms to deliver stronger rights and greater support for victims across Queensland.
- New Victims Advocate Service will be a one-stop-shop to help victims navigate the justice system and be expanded to victims of property offences.
- Victim Impact Statements to be expanded to all indictable offences and summary offences that result in death or bodily harm.
- Crisafulli Government's changes will put victims first and deliver faster justice after Labor's Youth Crime Crisis.
The Crisafulli Government is marking National Victims of Crime Day by strengthening victims' rights and support, with two significant Bills introduced to Parliament today.
The landmark reforms will continue to put victims at the heart of Queensland's justice system, with a new Victims Advocate Service and expansion of Victim Impact Statements to all indictable and summary offences that result in death or bodily harm in Queensland courts.
For a decade under Labor, victims were forced to navigate a complex and fragmented system with services spread across multiple government departments, often repeating their story and struggling to access the support they need.
The Victims of Crime Assistance (Victims Advocate Service) Amendment Bill 2026 establishes the framework for the new Victims Advocate Service to provide Queenslanders impacted by crime with a central point for support, information and referrals.
The service delivers on a key election commitment by the Crisafulli Government and will include a 24/7 phone line and online hub, helping victims navigate the complex justice process from start to finish and reducing the number of times they need to repeat their story.
The Service has been developed in consultation with victims to address longstanding gaps in victim support.
Victim Advocate Service will also be eligible to victims of property crimes, in line with the Crisafulli Government's commitment to put victims at the heart of the justice system.
At the same time, the Justice Legislation (Strengthening Victims' Rights) Amendment Bill 2026 delivers significant reforms to the Victim Impact Statement process.
For the first time the Victim Impact Statement process will serve not only to inform the court of the harm caused but also provides an important therapeutic opportunity for victims to tell their story in their own words.
Eligibility for Victim Impact Statements will be broadened to include all indictable offences and summary offences that result in death or bodily harm, expands who may provide a statement, and provides greater flexibility in how statements can be presented to the court.
The Bill will also empower the Victims' Commissioner to provide community impact statements for serious offences including serious vilification, prohibited symbols and child exploitation material offences, ensuring courts can better understand the wider harm caused by such crimes.
There will also be important reform to Queensland's coronial system by ensuring family members of a deceased person are notified when a coroner decides to hold, open or re-open an inquest or investigation into a death.
Attorney-General, Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity Deb Frecklington said the reforms reflected the Crisafulli Government's commitment to putting the rights of victims ahead of the rights of offenders.
"National Victims of Crime Day is an important opportunity to acknowledge the profound impact crime has on individuals, families and communities, and to reaffirm our commitment to putting victims first," the Attorney-General said.
"For too long, victims have felt like bystanders in a justice system that should be working for them. These reforms are about ensuring victims are heard, respected and supported at every stage of the process.
"Whether it is giving victims a stronger voice through Victim Impact Statements or ensuring families are kept informed during coronial proceedings, these reforms are about treating people with dignity, respect and compassion when they interact with Queensland's justice system."
Minister for Youth Justice and Victim Support and Minister for Corrective Services Laura Gerber said the Victims Advocate Service delivered on a key election commitment to provide more support to victims of crime.
"The Victims Advocate Service will make a real difference by providing a one-stop-shop for victims to get immediate help, without having to relive their trauma by retelling their story across government departments," Minister Gerber said.
"After a decade in government, Labor had every opportunity to improve outcomes for victims and put their rights first, yet they chose not to act and sat on their hands while the number of victims of crime increased 193%.
"The Crisafulli government has listened to victims who have repeatedly called for more support to navigate the complex criminal justice system and designed a service that supports their needs.
"It's another step we are taking to put victims first and ensure they have the support they need, when they need it most."
