Council calls for feedback for new Terms of Reference
Media release
Friday, 6 December 2019
The Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council has been asked by the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, the Honourable Yvette D’Ath MP, for its advice on penalties for assaults on police and other frontline emergency service workers, corrective service officers and other public officers.
The Terms of Reference recognises that assaults on police and other frontline emergency service workers such as paramedics and hospital emergency department staff, corrective service officers and other public officers, continue to raise concern for the safe working environment of these officers as well as the adequacy of penalties imposed on offenders convicted of these offences.
Council Chair, John Robertson, said the Council is inviting preliminary feedback to assist in identifying key issues to be explored in responding to the reference, with feedback helping to inform the approach to the project and establish questions for further discussion.
“This consultation is an opportunity for community members and stakeholders such as the Queensland Police Service, Queensland Ambulance Service, Queensland Corrective Services, Queensland Health, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, the judiciary, legal profession, employee unions and others, to share their views on what important issues the Council should explore,” Mr Robertson said.
“The Council will be examining the relevant offence, penalty and sentencing provisions in other Australian and applicable international jurisdictions to address this type of offending along with any evidence of the impact of reforms, and we’ll be looking at causes, frequency and seriousness of offending.
“Among the matters we’ll consider is whether the definition of ‘public officer’ in section 340 of the Criminal Code should be expanded to recognise other occupations, including public transport drivers such as bus and train drivers, and whether the penalties imposed on offenders convicted of these offences reflect stakeholder expectations.”
In referring the Terms of Reference to the Council this week, the Attorney-General has requested the Council report back by 30 June 2020.
Preliminary written feedback is encouraged by close of business, Friday 10 January 2020, and can be emailed to the Council at submissions@sentencingcouncil.qld.gov.au or posted to:
Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council
GPO Box 2360
Brisbane QLD 4001
More information about the Terms of Reference considering penalties for assaults on police and other frontline emergency service workers, corrective service officers and other public officers can be found on this website.
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