Queensland Gov’t Launches Parole Board Review
- The Crisafulli Government has launched an independent review into the systemic failures of the Parole Board Queensland under the former Labor Government.
- The review delivers on a key election commitment and will assess whether the Board’s operations effectively keep Queenslanders safe and support victims of crime.
- It will deliver targeted recommendations to improve the rights, participation and treatment of victims within the parole process.
- The Review will be led by distinguished barrister Peter Hastie KC.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering on its election commitment to launch an independent review of Parole Board Queensland to ensure victims are prioritised and properly informed of decisions that impact them.
As part of A Fresh Start for Queensland, the review will assess the systemic failures that plagued the Board under the previous Labor Government, with an aim to deliver restored stability and confidence for a fresh start for Queenslanders.
The Board was severely mismanaged under Labor’s two failed former Corrective Services Ministers, with the former president’s controversial resignation, a Board operating at half capacity and a critical backlog of parole applications that put community safety at risk.
Led by distinguished barrister Peter Hastie KC, the review will assess whether the Board’s operations are effective in keeping Queenslanders safe, and support the rights, participation and treatment of victims within the parole process, including engagement with the Victims Register.
A final report will be delivered with targeted recommendations for legislative and operational reform
Minister for Youth Justice and Victim Support and Minister for Corrective Services Laura Gerber said the review would uncover critical system failings and deliver recommendations to streamline operations and support victims of crime.
“Under Labor’s two failed former Corrective Services Ministers, the Parole Board was in a state of chaos and crisis, with a former President referred to the Crime and Corruption Commission, a critical backlog of applications, and a system that didn’t protect or support victims,” Minister Gerber said.
“We promised to launch this independent review during the election, and we are delivering on that promise to fix Labor’s broken parole system and give Queenslanders a system that works and the answers they deserve.
“Already we have appointed a new Parole Board president and strengthened laws to safeguard the community, and this review is another step towards cleaning up Labor’s mess and creating a system that supports victims.
“I am confident Mr Hastie KC will conduct a comprehensive review into the Parole Board and deliver targeted recommendations to restore stability and confidence back to the organisation.”
President of Parole Board Queensland Michael Woodford welcomed the review.
“I look forward to the recommendations put forward by Mr Hastie KC to continue building an efficient and effective Parole Board,” Mr Woodford said.
https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/102818