Deb Frecklington on telephone call to Lee Lovell over sentencing for wife’s killers

This week, I made one of the most difficult calls of my political career. As Lee Lovell picked up the phone, I uttered words that I wished I would never have to say, writes Attorney-General Deb Frecklington.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Integrity Deb Frecklington reveals her phone call to victim of crime Lee Lovell. Picture: David Clark

This week, I made one of the most difficult calls of my political career. As Lee Lovell picked up the phone, I uttered words that I wished I would never have to say.

There is nothing more I can do.

I have the greatest respect for the Lovell family and I know how much their story has impacted Queenslanders.

Two years ago, in that messy time after Christmas, when all the days should happily blur into one, Emma’s life was cut short. Lee was robbed of his wife and their children were robbed of a mum.

Emma Lovell died outside her home in December 2022. Picture: Supplied

A few weeks ago, when the second co-accused was sentenced to just 18 months detention for his role in the burglary, Lee quite rightly felt like justice had not been done.

I shared his frustration and disappointment. It also left me angry, knowing Labor’s weak laws allowed this sentence to happen.

It’s why, after a decade of letting young offenders run wild in our state, I am proud to have the Making Queensland Safer Laws in force.

This Christmas, if juveniles commit adult crimes, they will receive adult time. The Crisafulli Government’s new laws will ensure that children found guilty of some of the most serious offences will now face the same maximum, mandatory, and minimum penalties as adults.

The rights of victims are also now placed above the rights of offenders and detention isn’t the last option as a penalty.

Furthermore, we have opened the Children's Court up to allow victims, their families, and the media to be present for proceedings, so Queenslanders aren’t kept in the dark.

Young offenders are on notice that if they break the law, they will face tougher consequences.

Lee Lovell outside court in Brisbane. Picture: NewsWire / John Gass

For the Lovell family, I know these laws have come too late. But I need them to know their loss has driven change.

Under the Crisafulli Government’s delivery of Adult Crime, Adult Time, the maximum penalty for that co-offender would now be life detention, with a minimum non-parole period of 15 years.

We must see the dial shift, and the government has provided our judges and magistrates with the ability to deliver sentences that reflect community expectations.