Public hearings - independent Commission of Inquiry into Queensland Police Service responses to domestic and family violence

The Commission of Inquiry into Queensland Police Service (QPS) responses to domestic and family violence will hold a series of public hearings in Brisbane and regional Queensland during July and August 2022.

The Commissioner, Her Honour Judge Deborah Richards, said the hearings would provide the community with an opportunity to see and hear witnesses giving evidence to the Commission and for that evidence to be tested by the parties who have been given leave to appear.

“In the first week of the hearings, witnesses will provide evidence regarding the capability, capacity and structure of the QPS to respond to domestic and family violence, as well as evidence regarding training provided to QPS officers,” she said.

“Current and retired QPS officers will also be called as witnesses to provide evidence on the cultural issues within the QPS relating to the investigation of domestic and family violence.”

Subsequent hearings will focus on the experiences and observations of regional and First Nations police officers, legal representatives and community support workers. A series of expert witnesses across a range of topics related to the policing of domestic and family violence will also be called.

Brisbane	Monday 11 July – Thursday 14 July	Court 17, level 4, Brisbane Magistrates Court, 363 George Street, Brisbane
	Monday 25 July – Friday 29 July and Monday 1 August – Friday 5 August	Land Court of Queensland, Brisbane Magistrates Court, Level 8/362 George Street, Brisbane
Cairns	Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 July	Cairns Magistrates Court, 5D Sheridan Street, Cairns
Townsville	Thursday 21 and Friday 22 July	Townsville Magistrates Court, 31 Walker St, Townsville
Mt Isa	Tuesday 9 August	Mount Isa Court House, 7A Isa Street, Mount Isa

 

More information on the witness schedule, which is subject to change and will be updated regularly, can be found at https://www.qpsdfvinquiry.qld.gov.au/public-hearings.aspx.

Brisbane-based hearings will be live streamed from the Commission’s website and transcripts from all hearings will also be made available on the website as quickly as possible after each sitting.

The Commission’s primary focus is on systemic matters affecting the capacity of the Queensland Police Service to respond to domestic and family violence and to make recommendations about how to address any issues identified in that examination. The Commission will not make findings into individual cases.

The independent Commission of Inquiry into Queensland Police Service responses to domestic and family violence was announced by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on 10 May 2022 and commenced on 30 May 2022. It is due to report to the Premier and Minister for Olympics, the Attorney-General and Minister for Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, and Minister for Police and Corrective Services and Minister for Fire and Emergency Services, by 4 October 2022.

The Commission’s complete terms of reference and further information is available on the Commission’s website www.qpsdfvinquiry.qld.gov.au.

Media inquiries can be emailed to media@qpsdfvinquiry.qld.gov.au.