Latest news with #DebFrecklington
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
State government fails to extend man's sentence it deemed 'manifestly inadequate'
A state government has failed to prove a man accused of using a rope to drag a woman to a car was handed a 'manifestly inadequate' sentence. The Queensland government had sought to increase Brock Andrew McDonald's sentence after he was jailed for assaulting and depriving the liberty of a young woman in October 2023. He was sentenced to two-and-a-half years on parole in December, with 413 days as time served. Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said in January that in her view, the sentence did not meet community standards and was 'manifestly inadequate'. McDonald, 44, is alleged to have put a rope around a young woman's neck before dragging her into a car in the early hours of the morning. He placed the screaming woman in the back seat while repeatedly telling her not to look at his face. She eventually escaped the car and hid in a nearby bush before calling for help. McDonald had pleaded guilty to charges of deprivation of liberty and assault occasioning bodily harm. In the appeal, the attorney-general had sought McDonald's sentence to be increased to no less than three years for the deprivation of liberty charge. The attorney-general's counsel submitted that the Court of Appeal should conclude the sentence was 'unreasonable and plainly unjust' and was so far outside the range of sentences that an error must have occurred. But the Court of Appeal on Friday dismissed the case, finding the attorney-general could not demonstrate the sentence was manifestly inadequate or that an error had occurred. The judges said the prosecution launched the appeal with the 'fundamental misconception' that sentences for kidnapping offences were comparable in McDonald's case on a deprivation of liberty charge. The appeal court referenced the sentencing judge's ruling on the basis that the prosecution had not sought to prove intent that is required for a charge of kidnapping. The prosecution instead pursued deprivation of liberty, which holds a lesser maximum sentence. The appeal judges said the attorney general 'ignored the consequences' of the prosecution's choices in framing the charges of deprivation of liberty instead of kidnapping, which McDonald pleaded guilty to. 'The argument presented on behalf of the attorney-general fails to demonstrate that the sentence was manifestly inadequate,' the appeal judges ruled. Ms Frecklington expressed her disappointment over the outcome. 'This sentence was appealed because I did not believe it met community expectations,' she said in a statement.
The Age
26-05-2025
- The Age
Intimate partner control a crime as Hannah's Law comes into effect
Domestic violence laws have become stronger in Queensland from Monday, with coercive control made a criminal offence. The change comes after Hannah's Law – named after Brisbane mother Hannah Clarke, who was killed alongside her children by her partner – was passed in parliament in March last year. The offence – which includes controlling, physical and non-physical forms of domestic and family violence, such as financial abuse and verbal abuse – can now attract a maximum penalty of 14 years' jail time. Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said she hoped to see an increase in family and domestic violence charges with the new laws in effect, with more offenders picked up before abuse turned lethal. 'We have seen the loss of too many lives. One death is too many,' she said. Loading 'The tragic loss of Hannah Clarke and her three beautiful children – that is four deaths too many.' Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Amanda Camm said coercive control 'almost always' an unpinning dynamic in domestic abuse situations. 'It can include physical and non-physical forms of abuse and creates a climate of fear, humiliation, isolation, that over time, erodes the victim's sense of identity, freedom and independence,' Camm said.
Sydney Morning Herald
26-05-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Intimate partner control a crime as Hannah's Law comes into effect
Domestic violence laws have become stronger in Queensland from Monday, with coercive control made a criminal offence. The change comes after Hannah's Law – named after Brisbane mother Hannah Clarke, who was killed alongside her children by her partner – was passed in parliament in March last year. The offence – which includes controlling, physical and non-physical forms of domestic and family violence, such as financial abuse and verbal abuse – can now attract a maximum penalty of 14 years' jail time. Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said she hoped to see an increase in family and domestic violence charges with the new laws in effect, with more offenders picked up before abuse turned lethal. 'We have seen the loss of too many lives. One death is too many,' she said. Loading 'The tragic loss of Hannah Clarke and her three beautiful children – that is four deaths too many.' Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Amanda Camm said coercive control 'almost always' an unpinning dynamic in domestic abuse situations. 'It can include physical and non-physical forms of abuse and creates a climate of fear, humiliation, isolation, that over time, erodes the victim's sense of identity, freedom and independence,' Camm said.
7NEWS
22-05-2025
- Politics
- 7NEWS
Controversial second wave of ‘Adult Crime, Adult Time' laws pass adding attempted murder and rape
Children as young as 10 will face adult jail time for a new range of offences after a state government passed its second tranche of controversial youth crime laws. The 'adult crime, adult time' laws now include 20 more offences after passing through during a late-night sitting in Queensland Parliament on Wednesday. Young offenders can now face lengthy adult sentences for attempted murder, rape, sexual assault, torture and kidnapping. 'It is a significant day,' Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said. It is the second wave of the laws that were central to the Liberal National government 's pitch to voters at the 2024 election. The first wave passed before Christmas despite outrage from youth advocates due to the lack of consultation, ensuring children as young as 10 would face life sentences for murder, manslaughter and adult jail time for offences such as grievous bodily harm. The expansion of 'adult crime, adult time' came in the wake of several serious crimes, including a teenager who was charged with attempted murder over an alleged stabbing attack on a supermarket worker in Ipswich. But there has been long-running criticism from the United Nations and local human rights groups condemning Queensland's laws as causing undue suffering to children. 'We are extremely concerned that present approaches are creating a future underclass of Australians,' United Nations special rapporteurs Alice Jill Edwards and Albert K Barume said. However, the criticism has fallen on deaf ears with Queensland's premier. 'Here's my message to the United Nations: you don't control me and I don't answer you, I answer to Queenslanders,' Premier David Crisafulli said. 'We make laws to deal with one of the biggest issues the state has ever faced, and it's a generation of repeat, hardcore young offenders who were created by weak laws.' This second wave of laws is not expected to be the last as the state continues to consult an expert legal panel for any further necessary changes. 'This will not be the last round of changes there will be more to come,' Crisafulli said. 'Every change we make will be about strengthening the laws, not weakening them.' The government has previously been criticised for refusing to release the expert legal panel advice on the law changes and has again ruled out publishing the information for the time being. 'I made a commitment that we would allow them to provide advice free from political interference and we would enable them to continue to do that while they had work to do,' Crisafulli said. 'I think that's reasonable.'
The Advertiser
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Second wave 'adult crime, adult time' laws pass
Kids as young as 10 will face adult jail time for a range of new offences after a state government passed its second tranche of controversial youth crime laws. The "adult crime, adult time" laws now include 20 more offences after passing through during a late-night sitting in Queensland Parliament on Wednesday. Young offenders can now face lengthy adult sentences for attempted murder, rape, sexual assault, torture and kidnapping. "It is a significant day," Attorney-General Deb Frecklington told reporters. It is the second wave of the laws that were central to the Liberal National government's pitch to voters at the 2024 election. The first wave passed before Christmas despite outrage from youth advocates due to the lack of consultation, ensuring kids as young as 10 would face life sentences for murder, manslaughter and adult jail time for offences like grievous bodily harm. The expansion of "adult crime, adult time" came in the wake of several serious crimes, including a teenager who was charged with attempted murder following the alleged stabbing attack on a supermarket worker in Ipswich. But there has been long-running criticism from the United Nations and local human rights groups condemning Queensland's laws as causing undue suffering to kids. "We are extremely concerned that present approaches are creating a future underclass of Australians," the latest statement from the United Nations' Alice Jill Edwards and Albert K Barume said. However, the criticism has fallen on deaf ears with Queensland's premier. "Here's my message to the United Nations: you don't control me, and I don't answer you, I answer to Queenslanders," Premier David Crisafulli told reporters. "We make laws to deal with one of the biggest issues the state has ever faced, and it's a generation of repeat, hardcore young offenders who were created by weak laws." This second wave of laws is not expected to be the last as the state continues to consult an expert legal panel for any further necessary changes. "This will not be the last round of changes there will be more to come," Mr Crisafulli said. "Every change we make will be about strengthening the laws, not weakening them." The government has previously been criticised for refusing to release the expert legal panel advice on the law changes and has again ruled out publishing the information for the time being. "I think that's reasonable." Other states and territories have also cracked down on youth crime amid Queensland's law changes. The Northern Territory is strengthening its bail laws following the fatal stabbing of a 71-year-old Darwin store owner allegedly at the hands of a teenager. Victoria recently removed remand as a last resort for children while NSW made it harder for 14 to 18-year-olds to be released on serious charges while out on bail for similar offences. Kids as young as 10 will face adult jail time for a range of new offences after a state government passed its second tranche of controversial youth crime laws. The "adult crime, adult time" laws now include 20 more offences after passing through during a late-night sitting in Queensland Parliament on Wednesday. Young offenders can now face lengthy adult sentences for attempted murder, rape, sexual assault, torture and kidnapping. "It is a significant day," Attorney-General Deb Frecklington told reporters. It is the second wave of the laws that were central to the Liberal National government's pitch to voters at the 2024 election. The first wave passed before Christmas despite outrage from youth advocates due to the lack of consultation, ensuring kids as young as 10 would face life sentences for murder, manslaughter and adult jail time for offences like grievous bodily harm. The expansion of "adult crime, adult time" came in the wake of several serious crimes, including a teenager who was charged with attempted murder following the alleged stabbing attack on a supermarket worker in Ipswich. But there has been long-running criticism from the United Nations and local human rights groups condemning Queensland's laws as causing undue suffering to kids. "We are extremely concerned that present approaches are creating a future underclass of Australians," the latest statement from the United Nations' Alice Jill Edwards and Albert K Barume said. However, the criticism has fallen on deaf ears with Queensland's premier. "Here's my message to the United Nations: you don't control me, and I don't answer you, I answer to Queenslanders," Premier David Crisafulli told reporters. "We make laws to deal with one of the biggest issues the state has ever faced, and it's a generation of repeat, hardcore young offenders who were created by weak laws." This second wave of laws is not expected to be the last as the state continues to consult an expert legal panel for any further necessary changes. "This will not be the last round of changes there will be more to come," Mr Crisafulli said. "Every change we make will be about strengthening the laws, not weakening them." The government has previously been criticised for refusing to release the expert legal panel advice on the law changes and has again ruled out publishing the information for the time being. "I think that's reasonable." Other states and territories have also cracked down on youth crime amid Queensland's law changes. The Northern Territory is strengthening its bail laws following the fatal stabbing of a 71-year-old Darwin store owner allegedly at the hands of a teenager. Victoria recently removed remand as a last resort for children while NSW made it harder for 14 to 18-year-olds to be released on serious charges while out on bail for similar offences. Kids as young as 10 will face adult jail time for a range of new offences after a state government passed its second tranche of controversial youth crime laws. The "adult crime, adult time" laws now include 20 more offences after passing through during a late-night sitting in Queensland Parliament on Wednesday. Young offenders can now face lengthy adult sentences for attempted murder, rape, sexual assault, torture and kidnapping. "It is a significant day," Attorney-General Deb Frecklington told reporters. It is the second wave of the laws that were central to the Liberal National government's pitch to voters at the 2024 election. The first wave passed before Christmas despite outrage from youth advocates due to the lack of consultation, ensuring kids as young as 10 would face life sentences for murder, manslaughter and adult jail time for offences like grievous bodily harm. The expansion of "adult crime, adult time" came in the wake of several serious crimes, including a teenager who was charged with attempted murder following the alleged stabbing attack on a supermarket worker in Ipswich. But there has been long-running criticism from the United Nations and local human rights groups condemning Queensland's laws as causing undue suffering to kids. "We are extremely concerned that present approaches are creating a future underclass of Australians," the latest statement from the United Nations' Alice Jill Edwards and Albert K Barume said. However, the criticism has fallen on deaf ears with Queensland's premier. "Here's my message to the United Nations: you don't control me, and I don't answer you, I answer to Queenslanders," Premier David Crisafulli told reporters. "We make laws to deal with one of the biggest issues the state has ever faced, and it's a generation of repeat, hardcore young offenders who were created by weak laws." This second wave of laws is not expected to be the last as the state continues to consult an expert legal panel for any further necessary changes. "This will not be the last round of changes there will be more to come," Mr Crisafulli said. "Every change we make will be about strengthening the laws, not weakening them." The government has previously been criticised for refusing to release the expert legal panel advice on the law changes and has again ruled out publishing the information for the time being. "I think that's reasonable." Other states and territories have also cracked down on youth crime amid Queensland's law changes. The Northern Territory is strengthening its bail laws following the fatal stabbing of a 71-year-old Darwin store owner allegedly at the hands of a teenager. Victoria recently removed remand as a last resort for children while NSW made it harder for 14 to 18-year-olds to be released on serious charges while out on bail for similar offences. Kids as young as 10 will face adult jail time for a range of new offences after a state government passed its second tranche of controversial youth crime laws. The "adult crime, adult time" laws now include 20 more offences after passing through during a late-night sitting in Queensland Parliament on Wednesday. Young offenders can now face lengthy adult sentences for attempted murder, rape, sexual assault, torture and kidnapping. "It is a significant day," Attorney-General Deb Frecklington told reporters. It is the second wave of the laws that were central to the Liberal National government's pitch to voters at the 2024 election. The first wave passed before Christmas despite outrage from youth advocates due to the lack of consultation, ensuring kids as young as 10 would face life sentences for murder, manslaughter and adult jail time for offences like grievous bodily harm. The expansion of "adult crime, adult time" came in the wake of several serious crimes, including a teenager who was charged with attempted murder following the alleged stabbing attack on a supermarket worker in Ipswich. But there has been long-running criticism from the United Nations and local human rights groups condemning Queensland's laws as causing undue suffering to kids. "We are extremely concerned that present approaches are creating a future underclass of Australians," the latest statement from the United Nations' Alice Jill Edwards and Albert K Barume said. However, the criticism has fallen on deaf ears with Queensland's premier. "Here's my message to the United Nations: you don't control me, and I don't answer you, I answer to Queenslanders," Premier David Crisafulli told reporters. "We make laws to deal with one of the biggest issues the state has ever faced, and it's a generation of repeat, hardcore young offenders who were created by weak laws." This second wave of laws is not expected to be the last as the state continues to consult an expert legal panel for any further necessary changes. "This will not be the last round of changes there will be more to come," Mr Crisafulli said. "Every change we make will be about strengthening the laws, not weakening them." The government has previously been criticised for refusing to release the expert legal panel advice on the law changes and has again ruled out publishing the information for the time being. "I think that's reasonable." Other states and territories have also cracked down on youth crime amid Queensland's law changes. The Northern Territory is strengthening its bail laws following the fatal stabbing of a 71-year-old Darwin store owner allegedly at the hands of a teenager. Victoria recently removed remand as a last resort for children while NSW made it harder for 14 to 18-year-olds to be released on serious charges while out on bail for similar offences.
