Community summits on child homicide offences coming to Logan and Townsville

Media release

Wednesday, 4 July 2018

Community summits looking at sentencing for child homicide offences will be held at Logan on Monday 16 July and Townsville on Thursday 19 July 2018.

The Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council has been asked by the Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath to look into sentencing for criminal offences arising from the death of a child.

Council member Dan Rogers said: “We urge the community to come along to this summit and let us know what they think about sentencing for child homicide offences.

“They will hear from a number of experts and also have the opportunity to tell us their views on sentencing factors, the sentencing process and the vulnerabilities of child victims.

“We want to know if the community believes there should be any legislative change to the guidance on sentencing for these offences and how we can raise community awareness about sentencing for child homicide offences.

“Public views will inform the recommendations in our final report, which is due to the Attorney-General at the end of October.”

Participants will also hear from, and be able to ask questions of, the following speakers:

Dr Samantha Bricknell, Research Manager, Australia Institute of Criminology
Bob Atkinson AO APM, former Queensland Police Commissioner (2000–2012) and former Commissioner for the Royal Commission into institutionalised responses to child sexual abuse (2013–2017)
Terry Martin SC, former District Court Judge (Logan only)
Elaine Henderson, Queensland Homicide Victims’ Support Group
Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Hansel, Queensland Police Service
Dr Nigel Stobbs, QUT
Tony Keim, Queensland Law Society.

The events are being held at:

Diggers Services Club, Logan Central, on Monday 16 July from 9.30am until 3pm.
Mercure Hotel Townsville, on Thursday 19 July from 9.30am until 3pm