New DV laws
The LNP is calling on all Queenslanders to get involved and submit feedback on new domestic violence laws introduced in State Parliament last week.
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Last year, Queensland accounted for a quarter of all domestic violence-related deaths in Australia – with 18 Queensland women dying at the hands of their partner.
After the sickening death of Gold Coast mother Teresa Bradford last month, Queenslanders overwhelmingly called for strong action from their leaders.
While Labor failed to show leadership, the LNP got to work, introducing strong new domestic violence laws to tip the scales of justice back in favour of the victim – because the last thing we want is another tragedy like Teresa’s.
Under the LNP’s laws, courts will reverse the presumption of bail for an alleged offender charged with a domestic violence offence, including assault, grievous bodily harm, deprivation of liberty, strangulation and kidnapping.
Under the LNP’s laws, GPS trackers can be imposed by a court or a police officer as a bail condition against a person who may be considered a high-risk of offending.
Under the LNP’s laws, a new DV Alert system will be introduced to notify victims of domestic violence when the accused applies for bail or becomes eligible for parole.
Under the LNP’s laws, courts will introduce fast-tracked appeal rights to ensure appeals against bail are finalised within three business days, giving victims certainty for the future.
Domestic violence doesn’t discriminate and it is our shared responsibility to act.
To have your say contact lacsc@parliament.qld.gov.au, phone 07 3553 6641 or you can visit http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of- committees/committees/lacsc#
Ros Bates – Shadow Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence
Commonwealth not a republic
Just a long time ex-Pom expressing full agreement with the article by DB (North West Star editorial February 7) regarding the future status of this special country of ours.
No person in their unbiased mind would want a complete legal separation from the Crown during the reign of the present Monarch.
And no person in their unbiased mind would say she has been nothing but a fantastic role model.
So much better than a few Presidents I could mention.
However - it has to come to pass!
So why not let this take place at the end of her reign and let this be on the table now - even if we do not know the exact date.
Let it be agreed and prepared for.
Perhaps having lived in Africa for many years I have come to loathe the term "Republic".
Why not keep "Commonwealth".
Canada seems to have negotiated this hurdle successfully and so by the way, did Oliver Cromwell.
The Head of State (please, not the President) could then be the Governor-General as before and elected by the Government of the day - but with the same powers as the present one.
We may need them again.
Let us not take anything for granted in this fortunate country of ours.
Finally - why change the flag?
Looking at all the flags of the world, it is without doubt one the finest.
John Riley
Mount Isa
Danger to democracy
I lived in a country that suppressed democratic opposition parties.
I lived in a country that suppressed newspapers.
I lived in a country that jailed journalists.
I lived in Singapore.
Will Trump follow suit?
George Harley
Mount Isa