Members sought for new community feedback group


Media release

Wednesday, 1 September 2021

The Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council is seeking people to represent their communities or organisations on sentencing matters as part of a new Community Connection Group being established.

The Community Connection Group will provide the Council with valuable insight into communities’ views on sentencing issues and will help to promote greater understanding about sentencing.

Chair, John Robertson, said bringing people together from across the state is a first for the Council, part of whose role it is to engage with and inform Queenslanders about sentencing.

“The Community Connection Group will provide us with a proactive forum to consult and engage with community members on matters related to sentencing and associated issues in Queensland,” Mr Robertson said.

“We are seeking expressions of interest from individuals to represent communities and organisations to be part of the 24-member group.

“The Community Connection Group will meet twice a year and aims to represent everyone from people who have had dealings with the courts as a victim or a witness, to those who have been sentenced themselves, members of support organisations, and those who have had no involvement with the justice system at all, but simply have an interest in it,” he said.

With a particular focus on attracting people from regional, rural and remote areas, Mr Robertson said the voluntary group would have an opportunity to provide feedback on the Council’s work while helping the Council build a better understanding of the implications of sentencing for diverse communities including those for who English is a second language, people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, children, the elderly, and businesses.

Meetings will be held online to allow members from across the state to discuss issues face-to-face, without having to leave their community.

“Technology is enabling us to speak with and listen to more people in real time,” Mr Robertson said.

“Because of this, the members of the Community Connection Group will be able to lend their voices to some of the state’s most interesting and meaningful work being done in the area of criminal sentencing.”

Expressions of interest to join the Community Connection Group are now open.

To find out more and to download the Group charter, visit our website. Applications are open until 5pm Friday, 24 September 2021 and can be completed via the form online.

Media inquiries

Jane Coates
Media and Engagement Manager
0459 887 077(07) 3738 9498
Laura Mac Kenzie
Senior Engagement Officer
0437 967 376(07) 3738 9501