Qld plans to research, but not track, domestic violence offenders

The Palaszczuk Government has refused to join other states in using federal funding to monitor domestic violence perpetrators, by using GPS tracking.

THE Palaszczuk Government has refused to join other states in using federal funding to monitor domestic violence perpetrators, by using GPS tracking.

While NSW, SA and Tasmania will use technology to monitor wife beaters and high-risk family violence criminals, Queensland will instead undertake a research paper on the issue.

The Morrison Government will today announce that $10 million will be released from a $100 million program to help keep women and families safe.

Under the project, states have to match the funding provided by the Commonwealth. Queensland has stumped up the least amount of all states and territories.

NSW and the Commonwealth have joined to spend $1.35 million on “monitoring of high-risk perpetrators, using GPS technology to create an exclusion zone and alert police and the victim when the perpetrator is nearby”.

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Families Minister Paul Fletcher says the government is working to keep women safe. Picture: AAP Image/Paul Braven

It will also trial a plan to force offenders to wear bracelets that can monitor their alcohol concentration, altogether costing almost $600,000.

Queensland will spend $100,000 on a scoping study to “research the best-practice approach for trialling GPS monitoring or a similar technological solution”.

A $380,000 trial will also be run in Queensland to streamline “referral pathways and enhancing the timeliness of support services through effective and secure information sharing between government and non-government agencies”.

Federal Families Minister Paul Fletcher, who will announce the trials today, said technology would be used to help keep people safe.

“The Morrison Government has zero tolerance for violence against women. We have already committed well in excess of $350 million to address women’s safety,” Mr Fletcher said.

A tool will also be developed that aims to sweep a victim’s mobile phone, computer or home to detect whether their technology has been “compromised by malicious software or covertly-installed hardware”.

“Domestic violence victims would be better protected from perpetrators, building a safer community. The trial would also explore how such a solution could be delivered to frontline workers and affected women.”

Minister for Women Kelly O’Dwyer said it was important to develop technology to help victims.

“The Office of the eSafety Commissioner has considerable expertise in developing innovative, scalable, evidence-based and sustainable online safety tools for all Australians. They are the experts in online safety, including technology-facilitated abuse.

“These new tools will be of great benefit to women across Australia,” she said.

Originally published as Qld plans to research, but not track, domestic violence offenders