The Queensland government promised to put victims first, but it has buried a report from domestic violence survivors

The Queensland government has not made public the findings from its own working group made up of domestic violence survivors. This group's report was highly critical of how the police handle domestic violence cases and suggested a new system where civilians could review police actions.

The government, led by the Liberal National Party (LNP), had repeatedly stated its commitment to making victims the central focus of the state's justice policies.

In early 2025, the government established a panel. This panel consisted of individuals who had personal experience with domestic, family, and sexual violence. Their goal was to identify weaknesses in the current system and help shape future reforms.

The announcement of this working group, made by the minister for domestic and family violence prevention, Amanda Camm, also criticised the previous Labor government for not acting on recommendations concerning this issue.

The working group completed its tasks in December. However, a summary of its findings and recommendations has never been released. When The Guardian requested the report this week, Camm's office declined to provide it.

The Guardian has obtained a copy of this summary report. It notes that the document was prepared for wider distribution and to address any concerns about keeping victim-survivor information confidential.

Members of the panel are reportedly unable to discuss the process publicly. One anonymous source commented that promises about being tough on crime and prioritising victims are meaningless if they are not supported by visible actions, suggesting that without public attention, these issues are not a government priority.

Sources close to the process believe the government is hesitant to release the report because of its strong criticisms of the police, particularly its calls for an independent review of police conduct.

Since the LNP government took office, the Queensland police force has dismantled its specialist domestic and family violence command. It also released a reform plan stating that managing domestic and family violence cases was not considered a primary duty of the police. Furthermore, police have been granted new powers to issue immediate directions, which has raised significant concerns among women's rights advocates.

At the same time, recommendations from several previous reports highlighting issues with police responses to domestic violence have been stalled. This includes a long-delayed suggestion to create a civilian-led unit to handle complaints against the police.

The leaked report from the victim-survivor working group dedicates its initial and most detailed section to policing. It stated that police responses are often inconsistent and affected by a lack of understanding and negative attitudes among officers.

The report indicated that the way police handle these cases often depends on individual officers' personal views rather than following established procedures. Victim-survivors reported delays in police responses, the reporting process, and subsequent actions.

Some individuals felt that breaches of domestic violence orders were not taken seriously enough or were minimised. The report also pointed to a deeply ingrained culture within the police force, characterised by inconsistent recognition of violations and the use of personal judgment, which undermines consistent and proper responses for those affected by domestic violence.

The panel proposed several recommendations regarding police actions, including urging the state to adopt national standards for risk assessment and improve victim-focused approaches.

They also called for the establishment of a civilian oversight mechanism to address concerns about inadequate police responses.

Beyond policing, the report offered broad recommendations for reforms in child protection, mental health services, housing, the legal system, and specialist domestic and family violence services. It also highlighted the need to address ongoing experiences of systemic racism.

The Guardian contacted Minister Camm to inquire why the report and its recommendations had not been publicised and if she intended to release them. Her office refused the request without providing a written explanation.

When asked again on Tuesday, Camm did not directly answer why the report was not released. Instead, she issued a statement highlighting the government's record investment in domestic and family violence prevention and its plans to increase services, police presence, and affordable housing.

Camm stated that the current government, following a period of decline under Labor, has given a voice to domestic violence victims and is working to improve the deteriorating services inherited from the previous administration. She cited an increase in the DV Connect helpline's answer rate from 41.9% under Labor to 84% as an example.

One source familiar with the report expressed the belief that the government's reluctance to release the summary is due to its unwillingness to implement many of the recommendations, particularly those concerning the police. The source added that supporting victims should not be conditional on fitting a political agenda.

Since the 2024 election, the government has adopted a strict, victim-first approach to youth crime, enacting several legal reforms. However, critics argue that the government has done relatively little to combat gender-based violence.

Funding for domestic and family violence prevention was reduced in the state budget, and workers in community services report being overwhelmed and underfunded.