Final Report
The Final Report has been prepared in response to the Terms of Reference issued to the Council on 2 December 2019 by the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, the Honourable Yvette D’Ath MP.
The report represents the Council’s work to understand and reform sentencing of assaults on workers carrying out their duties in Queensland and was delivered to the Attorney-General on 31 August 2020.
Chapters
Download individual chapters of the Final Report below.
Chapter 1 – Introduction
Part A – Nature and extent of assaults on public officers
- Chapter 2 – How frequent are assaults on public officers?
- Chapter 3 – Who is involved in assaults on public officers?
- Chapter 4 – What are the circumstances in which public officers are assaulted?
Part B – The impact of assaults on victims of crime
- Chapter 5 – The impact on victims
Part C – The current sentencing framework and sentencing practices
- Chapter 6 – Current legislative framework and sentencing practices
- Chapter 7 – How are assaults on public officers dealt with by the courts?
Part D – Reforms to offences, penalties and sentencing for assaults on public officers and other vulnerable workers
- Chapter 8 – Reforms to the offence of serious assault
- Chapter 9 – Summary assault and obstruct offences
- Chapter 10 – Reforms to the sentencing framework
Part E – Improving institutional responses and community understanding
- Chapter 11 – Institutional responses
- Chapter 12 – Enhancing community knowledge and understanding
Expert report
Understanding the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in sentencing for assaults on public officers.
Any views expressed in this report are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Council.
Warning to readers
This report contains subject matter that may be distressing to readers.
Material describing assaults committed on police, other emergency services personnel, corrective services officers and other public officers, including case studies drawn from sentencing remarks, and descriptions of the impact these offences can have on victims are included in this report.
If you need to talk to someone, support is available:
- Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14
- Victim Assist Queensland: 1300 546 587 (business hours) or email VictimAssist@justice.qld.gov.au
You may also be able to seek advice and support from your current employer and/or employee union. Visit their websites for more information.
Literature review
Assaults on Public Officers: A review of research evidence
A literature review prepared during the initial stage of the review by the Griffith Criminology Institute.
Any views expressed in this report are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Council.