Katter’s Australian Party Deputy Leader Nick Dametto addresses parliamentary committee in Brisbane over Castle Law Bill

KAP’s Nick Dametto, while fronting a parliamentary committee, demanded a “pendulum swing back” with Castle Law, advocating for victims’ rights to use whatever force necessary in self-defence.

Hinchinbrook MP and KAP Deputy Leader Nick Dametto

Katter’s Australian Party Deputy Leader and Member for Hinchinbrook Nick Dametto fronted a parliamentary committee on Monday morning, at a public briefing on the Castle Law Bill.

The KAP introduced a bill in May to amend section 267 of Queensland’s Criminal Code.

The amendment would allow individuals to respond to a home invasion with ‘such force that it may result in grievous bodily harm or death to the intruder.’

The party said Castle Law will aim to restore the fundamental right for homeowners to defend themselves, their loved ones and their property without fear of legal repercussions.

The KAP’s petition for the Queensland parliament to support the bill received more than 40,000 signatures.

KAP MP Shane Knuth, Deputy Leader Nick Dametto and Leader Robbie Katter

Mr Dametto said the questions asked by the Community Safety and Legal Affairs Committee were ‘rounded’ and questioned issues such as how the Castle Law Bill would affect a domestic violence situation, through to whether current legislation provides enough protection for victims.
“What we have clearly tried to do in this legislation is be prescriptive, clear up that grey area to make sure that if someone has to defend their house, their property or their loved ones and if the worst was to happen, that the law would be there to protect them,” Mr Dametto said.

“Galvanising the rights of victims is exactly what the KAP is trying to do here.”

Speaking after the committee hearing, Mr Dametto said the KAP wants to see the ‘pendulum swing back’ to give victims of crime the right to use ‘whatever force they deem necessary ’ to protect themselves.
Mr Dametto said during the committee briefing questions were raised as to whether or not the legislative change was necessary, and if stronger laws were needed to ensure perpetrators were incarcerated for longer.

KAP Deputy Leader Nick Dametto. Picture: Nikita McGuire

“The KAP has a multi-pronged approach to bringing crime down,” he said.

“We want to see adult crime, adult time. We were the first ones to call for it.”
Citing the KAP’s stance on removing detention as a last resort, mandatory sentencing for prescribed crimes and their Relocation Sentencing Policy, Mr Dametto said the ‘icing on the cake’ would be giving victims the right to defend themselves in their own home.

With the upcoming election in October Mr Dametto said he hoped that minor parties would do well in North Queensland.

“I think the fact that the prospect of the Greens being quite strong here in inner city Brisbane is a stark reflection of the difference between North Queensland and the southeast corner,” he said.

“Effectively, you’ve got people living in the green, leafy suburbs around Brisbane that are going to vote Green instead of going for a major party.”

“The same is hopefully going to happen in the regions.”

Mr Dametto noted the ‘strong representation’ from KAP candidates in Mundingburra, Townsville and Cook, and said that the people in North Queensland ‘want to see something different’.

Originally published as Katter’s Australian Party Deputy Leader Nick Dametto addresses parliamentary committee in Brisbane over Castle Law Bill