Domestic Violence threat deterrent on track

Work is underway to fit GPS trackers on 150 high-risk perpetrators amid an overhaul of how the government responds to the scourge of domestic and family violence.

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Amanda Camm. Picture: Supplied

Work is underway to fit GPS trackers on 150 high-risk perpetrators amid an overhaul of how the government responds to the scourge of domestic and family violence.

The first 150 of 500 court-ordered trackers will be available before October to be fitted on people who regularly breach domestic violence orders.

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Amanda Camm said the rollout of the trackers, an election commitment, would act as a preventive measure.

“It is used to really front load the system to ensure that there are 24/7 eyes on perpetrators so that they know there is constant accountability to their whereabouts, to their interactions with victims, and to make sure that they are following the letter of the law,” she said.

“We want to see this as a protective measure, as a deterrent, but also as a tool for police to ensure that they can then meet community expectations by getting to those high-risk call outs that they’re receiving.

“The demand on our Queensland Police Service is reaching an unsustainable state and that’s having an impact on community and public safety.”

Ms Camm will also appoint a one-stop expert panel to boost and improve Queensland’s response to domestic and family violence.

The board will replace Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce implementation supervisor Cathy Taylor, who leaves the role after handing down her fifth report.

“We have come to a critical point in domestic and family violence policy where she has recommended that the government consolidate and prioritise reform around domestic and family violence,” Ms Camm said.

The panel will include academics and representatives of the sector and be tasked with overseeing the rollout of reform to domestic and family violence policy.

An interim report into the state’s crisis response line, DVConnect, is expected in March.