Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington says child sex abuse survivors in our region will have better pathways to justice through an LNP plan to remove the limitation period on child sex abuse civil claims if elected to government.
Mrs Frecklington said limitation periods acted as a significant barrier for survivors seeking justice for appalling past abuse, but the LNP’s policy would help survivors speak out in their own time.
“We want to empower child sex abuse survivors to seek the justice they deserve, no matter how long ago the alleged offence occurred,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“The current laws mean child sex abuse survivors have just three years from their 18th birthday to lodge a civil claim against their alleged perpetrator.
“Many survivors find it too difficult to deal with the trauma involved in seeking justice for their abuse until well into their adulthood, but it is unfair to deny them justice in these circumstances.
“That’s why, if elected, an LNP Government will remove the limitation of claims, as recommended* by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse.”
Shadow Attorney-General Ian Walker said the LNP would seek to introduce legislation into Queensland Parliament within the first 120 days of government.
“We want to help survivors as soon as possible, but it’s also important we get these laws right, so the LNP would consult with a wide range of stakeholders in drafting the legislation, from the legal industry to survivor support groups,” Mr Walker said.
“Clearly, the Court retains its jurisdiction in determining the merits of each case, but our move will ensure survivors who are willing to come forward and speak out are able to do so in their own time.”
Mr Walker said the LNP had a strong track record in government, including increased funding to support groups.
“In government, the LNP established the Child Protection Commission of Inquiry to chart a roadmap for the future of child protection,” he said.
“We supported survivors of crime by enabling them to read their victim impact statements before a sentencing court they wished and it was reasonable in the circumstances.”
*State and territory governments should introduce legislation to remove any limitation period that applies to a claim for damages brought by a person where that claim is founded on the personal injury of the person resulting from sexual abuse of the person in an institutional context when the person is or was a child. (Recommendation 85 - Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse – 14/09/2015)
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, says that after several months of negotiations and lobbying, a new community legal service is now available for the South Burnett community.
Mrs Frecklington said “The Advocacy and Support Centre” (TASC), based in Toowoomba, is offering a fortnightly legal outreach at the Kingaroy Courthouse.
“People in the South Burnett have never had direct access to community legal services and this gap in services is something that needed addressing and was a high priority for our region, especially for our most vulnerable,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“In fact, the South Burnett and Wide Bay had been noted as the two regions with the greatest unmet need in regards to community legal services.
“The South Burnett District Law Association had also identified this need and wrote to me with suggestions of bringing TASC to the South Burnett,” she said.
Caroline Cavanagh, President of the South Burnett District Law Association said it had been a concern for some time amongst members of the profession that there is an absence of a community legal service to rural and regional areas.
“We wrote to Deb advocating for this type of service, to help address the gap in access to legal representation in our region,” Ms Cavanagh said.
Deb said that negotiations had been underway since February with representatives from Community Legal Centres Queensland and TASC to highlight the need and request an outreach service for Kingaroy.
“We received the good news in May that TASC would begin a face-to-face fortnightly clinic in Kingaroy. This began on 14th July,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“The Kingaroy Courthouse has made a room available for the clinic which will offer general legal advice for family law, domestic violence issues, parenting issues, general civic law and advice around disability (the service is unable to provide court representation). I would like to extend a very warm welcome to the TASC Team and thank them for coming on board to help people in our region,” Deb said.
To find out if the TASC team can help you, please call 4616 9700.
Photo: Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, with South Burnett District Law Association President, Caroline Cavanagh. Their lobbying has helped secure a new community legal service for the South Burnett.
The Palaszczuk Government has doubled-crossed farmers and graziers over its vegetation management consultation process it was revealed during Budget Estimates this week.
Shadow Natural Resources Minister Andrew Cripps said Labor was forced to admit the commitments he had given to rural stakeholders about the consultation process on Labor’s proposed vegetation management amendments had not been fulfilled.
“Natural Resources Minister Lynham repeatedly gave undertakings to the agriculture sector that the consultation process would involve a report and recommendations from a stakeholder roundtable,” Mr Cripps said.
“Despite Minister Lynham promises about the process, the Palaszczuk Government disgracefully double-crossed Queensland’s farmers and landholders.
“Labor’s consultation process has been a complete failure – Queensland’s farmers and landholders were told the roundtable process would guide any changes to Queensland’s vegetation management framework.
“The roundtable met only once in July last year and never produced a report, or any recommendations – yet the Palaszczuk Government has gone ahead and honoured its political debt to the Greens.”
Mr Cripps said when Labor introduced the Vegetation Management (Reinstatement) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill on 17 March 2016, it had blatantly ignored the commitments Minister Lynham had given to Queensland’s farmers and landholders.
“This behaviour is shameful and the stakeholders who will be affected by Labor’s proposed changes have every right to be furious about the Palaszczuk Government’s dishonesty.”
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington has launched a brand new ‘Local Hero’ grant program to help support local community groups and individuals across the Nanango Electorate.
Mrs Frecklington said that in her role as the local State Member she is always pleased to support groups and this new program will offer small but meaningful grants to the community.
“My new Local Hero Grants program will provide $250 grants for local groups who support our community and to individuals needing assistance to travel to sporting or other competitions,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“The first round of the grants program is now officially open and I’d encourage eligible groups and individuals to make an application.
“There will be three rounds each year and four successful applicants from around the Nanango Electorate will be selected in each round.
“The grants provides an opportunity to show my support, thanks and appreciation for all our hardworking volunteer groups who make such a difference for our community. And to encourage people who are attending sporting or other events and need assistance to make it possible,” she said.
If you would like to apply, please go to Deb’s website at www.debfrecklington.com.au or contact the Electorate office on 4190 7100.
Click here for the Guidelines
Photo: Deb is offering community groups and individuals the opportunity to apply for her new ‘Local Hero Grants’.
The establishment of a 50km/hr zone through the township of Crows Nest sees the realisation of a major priority for Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington and the Crows Nest community.
Mrs Frecklington said the fight for improved safety through the township, in particular on the main pedestrian crossing has been a long one, but it has finally been achieved.
“The Crows Nest community first brought this issue to my attention when I started in my role as the Member for Nanango in 2012 and I have been trying at every opportunity to help improve safety for everyone using the pedestrian crossing since then.
“We have had some small wins along the way, such as re-painting and a trial of flashing lights, but this year we made a concerted push and at last the Department has recognised that the speed needed to be lowered through town.
“It is an excellent result, brought about by strong community backing, perseverance and working closely with Main Roads to identify achievable solutions.
“I would especially like to thank members of the Steering Committee which was formed after the town hall meeting which I convened in April – including Carol Pearce, Mark Berkovich, Kay Tyler, Leanne Murphy, Vivian Anderson and Wayne Smith. They have done a remarkable job.
“There will be some further works at the crossing itself, including increasing the width of the centre median using line marking, changing angle parking on the western side to parallel parking and extending ‘blister islands’ at the crossing to slow traffic,” Deb said.
The new 50km/hr zone runs from Sharp Street (before Salts Antiques) to John Street on the southern side of town.
Photo: Safety on the Crows Nest Pedestrian Crossing has been a major goal for Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington and the Crows Nest community.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington has congratulated South Burnett CTC and Uniting Care Community on receiving funding for programs to help young children in the South Burnett and Cherbourg who are affected by domestic and family violence.
Mrs Frecklington said CTC and Uniting Care have both received nearly $50,000 to support vulnerable children aged birth to eight years old who need protection.
“I was pleased to catch up with the South Burnett CTC Management Team to learn more about their project and talk about the need for this type of service in our area” Mrs Frecklington said.
“South Burnett CTC will run their program for twelve months through our local child care centres, schools and early learning facilities.
“Their aim is to help people working in the early learning sector to recognise signs of domestic violence in children and focus on early intervention.
“Unfortunately, there is an unacceptable level of domestic violence in our region and programs such as these will help protect little ones who, through no fault of their own find themselves caught in these situations,” Deb said.
Susan Jerome, CTC Children’s Services Manager said South Burnett CTC is a strong advocate for safe environments for children and adults alike.
“This program will provide information on how to report concerns and prioritise safety. For more information, people can contact me on 4169 0587,” Ms Jerome said.
Deb said this type of program will also help assist Mason’s Law, which is currently before the State Parliament for debate.
“The LNP Opposition introduced Mason’s Law in March 2016 to expand the mandatory reporting provisions to the Early Childhood Education and Care Sector, concerning child harm,” Deb said.
“The Parliamentary Committee has completed its inquiry into the proposed law and has recommended it be passed. This is an important reform needed to keep our children safe and the committee’s unanimous recommendation in favour of the bill is welcome.
“We just hope the Palaszczuk Labor Government commit to passing the bill, without further reviews or delays.
Photo: Deb with South Burnett CTC’s Kirsten Firman.
