The Guardian reported renewed attention to a 2023 essay by Queensland minister Amanda Stoker after her appointment to lead domestic and family violence prevention put her comments on sexual-assault cases in focus. The Queensland Government said Stoker was sworn in Saturday, Oct. 24, as Minister for Families, Seniors and Disability Services and Minister for Child Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence.
Stoker succeeded then-minister Amanda Camm, who stepped down because of illness. EconoTimes previously reported Camm’s resignation from Queensland Cabinet.
Premier David Crisafulli said Stoker’s priorities include refining domestic and family violence laws, a statewide electronic-monitoring pilot for perpetrators and more support for victims. The government announcement did not set a timetable for those measures.
The Guardian reported that former Australian of the Year Grace Tame called the appointment “very disappointing.” The outlet also reported that several victim-support workers had privately expressed concerns but declined to speak publicly.
Stoker published the essay through the Menzies Research Centre on Feb. 23, 2023. She wrote that people should not “blindly ‘#believeher’ (or any witness)” in place of assessing evidence. The essay began with the case involving Brittany Higgins and comments by Sen. Linda Reynolds, then discussed sexual-offense procedures and protections for accused people, including the ability to challenge evidence.
Queensland’s revised publication rules took effect Oct. 3, 2023. They allow publication of the identity of an adult charged with specified sexual offenses before committal proceedings are finalized, except when publication would identify or help identify a complainant. A defendant, alleged victim or prosecutor may ask a court for a non-publication order.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) estimated that, in its 2021–22 survey, 92% — 680,300 women — who experienced sexual assault by a male did not report their most recent incident to police. That incident occurred within the preceding 10 years. The figure is national, not specific to Queensland, and measures reporting rather than whether an allegation was true or false.
A guide produced by Victoria Police and the Australian Institute of Family Studies says false allegations of sexual offenses are rare and misconceptions about their frequency can discourage reporting. Queensland Police Service links to the guide.
