Queensland Government Buries Domestic Violence Survivors Report 2026

The Queensland domestic violence report from a government-appointed survivor working group has been buried, despite repeated promises to put victims first. The document, seen by Guardian Australia, is highly critical of police responses and calls for independent oversight.

Working Group Findings Suppressed

The Liberal National government convened a panel of domestic, family and sexual violence survivors in early 2025 to identify gaps in the system. The working group completed its work in December, but the summary report has never been released. Minister Amanda Camm’s office refused a Guardian request to publish it.

Panel members are gagged from speaking publicly. One source said anonymously: “You can say all you want about being tough on crime and putting victims first, but if it doesn’t come with CCTV footage for the news, it’s clearly not a government priority.”

Key Criticisms of Police

The report’s strongest criticisms target the Queensland Police Service (QPS). Since the LNP took office, QPS scrapped its specialist domestic and family violence command and released a reform plan stating that case management was not “core business”. Police have also been given additional powers, but the report calls for a “civilian review mechanism” to handle complaints against officers.

Broader Context

The government has repeatedly said it would “put victims at the heart” of justice policies. Yet the suppression of this report suggests a gap between rhetoric and action. The previous Labor government was criticised for failing to implement recommendations, but the current government’s approach appears equally flawed.

What the Report Recommends

• Create an independent body to review police handling of domestic violence cases
• Reinstate a dedicated domestic and family violence command
• Make victim-survivor safety the primary metric for police performance
• Ensure all reports from lived-experience panels are publicly released

Domestic violence survivors and advocacy groups are calling for immediate publication of the report. Without transparency, trust in the justice system erodes further.

FAQ

This suppression raises serious questions about the government’s commitment to domestic violence reform. Survivors and advocates continue to push for transparency and accountability.