Queensland Labor Leader Steven Miles today sought to declare the Justice Legislation (Strengthening Victims’ Rights) Amendment Bill 2026 urgent, to strengthen victims' rights. 

 

The Crisafulli LNP Government today used their majority to vote to block debate of that motion. 

 

The Bill follows work commenced by Labor through the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council, which was completed and handed to the LNP Attorney General in December 2024. 

 

Now, some 640 days later, Queensland victims will wait even longer for strengthened rights. 

 

This is not the first time the Queensland Labor Opposition has pushed for stronger protections for victims - especially victims of sexual violence. 

 

The Shadow Treasurer and Shadow Attorney General wrote to the Attorney General in May of 2025, outlining the decision to move amendments during the debate of the Making Queensland Safer (Adult Crime, Adult Time) Amendment Bill 2025, to enact some of the recommendations listed in the report.

 

These amendments were opposed by the government during debate on 21 May 2025 date. That was 484 days ago.

 

 

"Queensland Labor will always stand on the side of victims, and we want to see them have a voice. 

 

"We started the work to strengthen victims' rights, and we don't want to see those delayed by a Government that has already sat on an important report for more than 600 days."

 

 

"The Crisafulli LNP Government is putting politics over people, over victims and victims' survivors. 

 

"Rather than doing what's right, and implementing these important reforms, the Government would rather their feet. 

 

"Victims of crime deserve better than being treated as a political prop at a photo op on National Victims' Day - let's do the work, and pass this bill."