Youth crime crisis: Cash payouts for Qld victims

Victims of crime will be able to access thousands of dollars more in government-funded financial support under a $200m-plus cash boost.

Victims of crime will be able to access thousands of dollars more in government-funded financial support under a more than $200m cash boost.

The landmark reform package, announced by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Thursday, is designed to “better support victims of crime and their families”.

The more than $200m will be spread across five years, with $185m of it to go toward increased financial assistance for victims.

Ben Cannon leads protesters in a march on Parliament House, calling for tougher action on youth crime. Picture: Dan Peled / NCA NewsWire

A total of $18m will go toward establishing the Victims’ Commissioner office and $6m will go to non-government organisations that support victims.

The upper cap for financial assistance for victims will be increased from $75,000 to $120,000, with victims across different categories of payments to also get a significant boost.

There are four categories of acts of violence impacting victims. Category A crimes include attempted murder, rape, and incest with a person under 16. Category B includes a sexual offence, grievous bodily harm, robbery, torture and kidnapping.

Category C includes serious assault and unlawful wounding, while category D includes unlawful stalking and domestic violence.

The increased funding for victims comes following rallies outside parliament and meetings between community members and authorities.

Protesters march on Parliament House calling for tougher action on youth crime. Picture: Dan Peled / NCA NewsWire

The increase in payments include:

Category A from $10,000 to $15,000

Category B from $3500 to $9000

Category C from $2000 to $6000

Category D from $1000 to $3000

Funeral expenses payments from $8000 to $15,000

Distress payments from $10,000 to $15,000.

The changes will need to be made through law, with the government to introduce the legislation amendments in October.

“Community safety is my government’s top priority and we need to adopt a community recovery approach with victims as well as their communities given hands-on support through what are traumatic experiences,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath said victims of crime experience significant trauma which has ripple effects across their family, friends, and their community.

Ben Cannon from Voice For Victims, Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll and Police Minister Mark Ryan meet to discuss ways to tackle youth crime. Picture: Dan Peled / NCA NewsWire

Originally published as Youth crime crisis: Cash payouts for Qld victims