Intimate partner control a crime as Hannah’s Law comes into effect

Domestic violence laws have become stronger in Queensland from Monday, with coercive control made a criminal offence.

The change comes after Hannah’s Law – named after Brisbane mother Hannah Clarke, who was killed alongside her children by her partner – was passed in parliament in March last year.

The offence – which includes controlling, physical and non-physical forms of domestic and family violence, such as financial abuse and verbal abuse – can now attract a maximum penalty of 14 years’ jail time.

Hannah Clarke and her three children were murdered by Clarke’s estranged partner in 2020 in Camp Hill.

Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said she hoped to see an increase in family and domestic violence charges with the new laws in effect, with more offenders picked up before abuse turned lethal.

“We have seen the loss of too many lives. One death is too many,” she said.

“The tragic loss of Hannah Clarke and her three beautiful children – that is four deaths too many.”

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Amanda Camm said coercive control “almost always” an unpinning dynamic in domestic abuse situations.

“It can include physical and non-physical forms of abuse and creates a climate of fear, humiliation, isolation, that over time, erodes the victim’s sense of identity, freedom and independence,” Camm said.

Frecklington said the new LNP government had introduced a slew of changes strengthening domestic violence laws since it came to power last year.

“It is important to note that no government has ever done more in the domestic and family violence space,” she said.

“That is something that we are very proud of in the government, something that we have worked towards for many years.

Attorney General Deb Frecklington said she expected there would be more arrests for domestic and family violence offences now that coercive control is a crime.Credit: William Davis

The LNP made an election pledge of $18 million to expand a trial using 150 GPS monitoring trackers on high-risk offenders.

It also moved to increase police powers, with officers able to issue on-the-spot domestic violence protection orders from 2026, and was opening a trial of video-recorded evidence in instances of domestic and family violence to avoid re-traumatising survivors.

The Hannah’s Law amended was similarly coupled with a police training program, introduced in July 2024.

Camm said the legal changes would introduce a shift in policing where officers recognised patterns of domestic abuse, rather than isolated incidents.

However, speaking on ABC Radio earlier on Monday morning, Frecklington called on members of the public to also recognise and report controlling behaviours in intimate and romantic relationships.

It echoes concerns from LNP members – voiced in a January 2024 report on the Hannah’s Law amendments – that the law in isolation could place too heavy a burden on police personnel.

“We will not see more women and children safe without a strong education campaign,” the statement read.

“It is also not fair on services to bear the brunt of this change and the government wait for a crisis in service delivery to provide the resources needed.”

The Queensland Police Union also called on the state government to fill more than 900 positions statewide – including 300 in the greater Brisbane region – in February, saying burnout from domestic and family violence work had made staff leave.

Queensland Police Union president Shane Prior said at the time that officers were receiving more than 500 calls every day, with the numbers quickly increasing.

If you or someone you know needs help or support, contact DV Connect on 1800 811 811 or 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or the Brisbane Domestic Violence Service on 07 3217 2544.

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