Review publications
On 20 February 2025 we released our consultation paper and background paper 3.
Background paper 1 - Review of particular criminal defences: Our terms of reference
On 27 November 2023, we released the first of a series of Background Papers.
In addition to the Background Paper, the Commission also released a companion document which contains:
- a series of fact sheets on each of the defences under review,
- a comparative table examining the scope of such defences in other jurisdictions, and
- a guide to legislative changes to the defences since the adoption of the Criminal Code in 1901.
The documents can also be downloaded separately:
- Criminal defences review - Information sheet on self-defence
- Criminal defences review - Information sheet on provocation to assault
- Criminal defences review - Information sheet on killing on provocation
- Criminal defences review - Information sheet on killing for preservation
- Criminal defences review - Information sheet on domestic discipline
- Criminal defences review - Information sheet on penalty for murder
- Criminal defences review - Timeline of legislative reforms and proposals in Queensland
- Criminal defences review - Quick reference jurisdiction guide
Background paper 2 - Review of particular criminal defences: Our guiding principles for reform
On 2 July 2024 we released Background paper 2. This paper identifies five principles to guide our consideration of the issues in the review and help us develop our recommendations for reform. We also released a one-page visual of the 5 guiding principles.
Background paper 3 - Understanding domestic and family violence and its role in criminal defences
On 20 February 2025 we released Background paper 3. This paper supports our consultation paper by exploring:
- the nature of DFV and coercive control
- how the legal system responds to DFV
- the impact of DFV on victim-survivors, their children, and the broader community
- community attitudes towards DFV
- how a history of DFV may be relevant to assessing the availability of particular criminal defences.
We have also released the Fact Sheet - Background paper 3: Understanding DFV and its role in criminal defences.
On 28 November 2024 we released Research Report 1.
When is it ok to defend yourself using violence? Is it ok to respond violently when provoked? We asked leading academics from the Australian National University to conduct an independent study to help us understand community attitudes. They surveyed 2500 Queenslanders and held focus groups with 58 members of the Queensland community.
We also released a Fact Sheet which outlines significant and key findings from the Research Report.
Also available is the Criminal Defences Review: Community attitudes literature review .
Consultation paper - Equality and integrity: Reforming criminal defences in Queensland
On 20 February 2025, we released this consultation paper which seeks feedback on 7 reform proposals and asks 21 questions on proposed reforms.
We also released a number of fact sheets to support the consultation paper.
Fact sheet 1 - Our Consultation Paper
Fact sheet 2 - Our Consultation Paper - Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Fact sheet 3 - Domestic discipline
Our Final Report is due to the Attorney-General on 1 December 2025. Once tabled in parliament it will be available for download here.