News
23 September, 2025
‘Good blokes’ out
QUEENSLAND courts will no longer be able to rely on ‘good character’ evidence when sentencing sexual offenders, under major reforms to the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992 commencing November 1, 2025.
The change means victims will no longer face the distress of hearing their offender described as a “good bloke” or praised for community contributions during sentencing. It is part of a suite of reforms designed to place victims at the centre of the justice process and better reflect community expectations.
The reforms respond to recommendations from the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council’s final report on sentencing for sexual assault and rape offences.
This is only one of four amendments coming into effect. Other key changes include:
Requiring courts to recognise the harm caused to a victim as a purpose of sentencing – ensuring greater visibility and acknowledgment of victims;
Introducing a new aggravating factor for rape or sexual assault committed against 16 and 17-year-old children – recognising their vulnerability and the culpability of offenders who target children;
Ensuring that no negative inference can be drawn if a victim chooses not to provide a victim impact statement during sentencing.
The next stage of addressing the Council’s recommendations will include holistic reviews of Section 9 of the Penalties and Sentences Act, which sets out sentencing guidelines, as well as the victim impact statement regime.
Member for Nanango, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity, Deb Frecklington, said she was proud to deliver such significant reforms for Queensland.
“Supporting victims of crime is a key priority, and we will continue to put them at the heart of Queensland’s justice system,” she said.
“No victim of a sexual offence, bravely sitting in court, needs to hear that the offender is an ‘all-round good person’ or a ‘good bloke’.
“Queensland is leading the way by being the first jurisdiction to make changes to restrict the use of ‘good character’ evidence at sentence for all sexual offences and I am proud to be part of a government that is delivering these reforms.
“I thank the Council and Secretariat for their work, as well as the victims of crime, advocates, legal professionals and members of the community who contributed to these changes through the Council’s review, as well as the Committee process.”
