Victims of crime will have access to greater financial assistance and support with the passing of the Victims of Crime Assistance and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 in Queensland Parliament this week.
The maximum financial assistance for primary victims rises from up to $75,000 to $120,000.
The maximum financial assistance for other victims has been boosted, including parent secondary victims and related victims, increasing from up to $50,000 to $75,000.
Special assistance payments available to domestic and family violence victims under the Victims of Crime Assistance Act 2009 will increase from $10,000 to $15,000 (category A), $3500 increased $9000 (category B), $2000 to $6000 (category C) and $1000 to $3000 (category D).
In addition, maximum amounts for funeral expenses will increase from $8000 to $15,000 and maximum amounts for distress payments from $10,000 to $15,000.
The Queensland Government has also allocated $18 million to establish the recently announced Victims’ Commissioner office and committed to greater representation of victims of crime on the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council (QSAC).
This Bill will expand QSAC from 12 to 14 members, including the appointment of a member with lived experience as a victim of crime.
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