REPEAT domestic violence offenders could face up to five years behind bars under sweeping new Queensland reforms, but an Ipswich victim-survivor said tougher laws will mean little if women remain trapped in a system that repeatedly puts the burden on them to seek protection.
Ipswich mother and domestic violence whistleblower “Simone”, whose identity has been protected, has spoken out about the proposed reforms after years of navigating protection orders, the courts and an ongoing fear of her former partner.
“I haven’t been really following any of it since after court,” she said.
Her protection order was recently renewed for another five years, but Simone said the order could provide only limited reassurance.
“It’s a small peace of mind that if he was to do anything, he will go back to jail,” she said.
“However, he is crazy and anything he would do would be horrific. It’s still the same BS every five years.”
Her comments come as the Queensland Government introduces the Domestic and Family Violence Protection and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026, proposing tougher penalties for repeated breaches of protection orders and wider powers for police responding to domestic and family violence.
Police and Emergency Services Minister Dan Purdie said the new offence for repeated contraventions was designed to better protect victim-survivors and hold persistent offenders accountable.
However, two Ipswich Labor MPs have questioned the Government’s record on domestic and family violence and said the Opposition would closely examine the legislation.
State Member for Bundamba Lance McCallum accused the Government of cutting funding and abandoning reforms, while State Member for Ipswich West Wendy Bourne said the Opposition would consult stakeholders before determining its position.
