Independent Ministerial Advisory Council to give victims a voice

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence The Honourable Yvette D'Ath
  • The Palaszczuk Government has announced the membership of the new Independent Ministerial Advisory Council.
  • Council to be co-chaired by former Childrens Court Judge John Robertson and CEO of DVConnect Beck O’Connor

The Palaszczuk Government has announced the membership of the new Independent Ministerial Advisory Council (IMAC).

Members of the IMAC include victims of crime, representatives from the legal sector and peak advocacy bodies, First Nations representatives and expert practitioners.

The IMAC will be co-chaired by former Childrens Court Judge John Robertson and Beck O’Connor, current chief executive of DVConnect.

The council will provide advice, guidance and victims’ perspectives on criminal justice issues and youth crime reforms being considered by government.

This will include primary crime prevention and early intervention for young offenders, and those at risk of entering the criminal justice system and rehabilitation for youth offenders.

The IMAC will also provide advice and guidance on how victim support services could be improved.

The IMAC will be supported by a secretariat in the newly established Justice Reform Office (JRO).

The JRO will lead evidence-based reform of the criminal justice system across government with a focus on improving programs to divert people away from the criminal justice system, helping people to break the cycle of reoffending, making our communities safer, and reducing demand on courts and prisons.

The IMAC will provide advice and guidance relevant to the work plan of the JRO.

The IMAC will hold its first meeting in the coming weeks.

Members will have opportunities to meet directly with relevant ministers and the Premier through the Justice Reform Committee.

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