A Queensland MP has called for further protections for domestic violence victims after one of his constituents was sued by her former partner for telling her story.
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Rob Pyne used a private member's statement in the early hours of Friday morning to highlight the case of Susan Prince, who performed in a social theatre piece based on the real stories of more than a dozen victims and perpetrators of domestic violence.
While promoting the play, which was partially funded by Arts Queensland and regional councils and toured across 17 regional Queensland towns including Mr Pyne's electorate of Cairns, Mr Pyne said Ms Prince commented in an interview that she "related to her character as she had an abusive husband".
"This man, whom Susan divorced in 1983, is now taking Ms Prince to District court for defamation," Mr Pyne said.
"I am vexed that this is even happening in 2016.
"The Honourable Quentin Bryce has 144 recommendations regarding domestic violence and the law, which this Government has endorsed.
"This case has political ramifications for all survivors of domestic violence - if Susan Prince loses this case it could be a precedent for all survivors of domestic violence to not speak up about this scourge, as their perpetrators could then take them to court for defamation, should they have the resources to do so.
"This leaves poor or low income women particularly vulnerable.
"Defamation is often a sport for the wealthy, to keep those traditionally without a voice, silent. So much for any implied freedom of speech in this country.
"I ask this government to stand by their promise to stop domestic violence and stop this case in its tracks.
"As I see it...the 144 recommendations by the Honourable Quentin Bryce that are endorsed by this Government are changing the law of our state, this is the same law that is perpetrating a survivor by making her defend her survival of domestic violence.
"I am outraged that this can happen to any survivor in 2016 and I ask this government to intervene."
Defamation law is separate to the changes the Palaszczuk Government made to laws that cover domestic violence, which included making choking a crime, established specialist courts to hear domestic violence cases as well as boosted funding for domestic and family violence support services, including two new shelters.
