In May, less than five kilometres away from the Clarke family murders, four-year-old Willow Dunn was found decomposed in her cot.
Willow’s father and stepmother have been charged with her murder.
In her first speech to Parliament as the opposition spokeswoman for domestic violence prevention, Amanda Camm listed the women who had been allegedly taken by violence this year.
“Along with Hannah, the lives of the following women are a tragic reminder that there is much more work to be done,” she said.
“In February both Alexis Parkes from Chermside and an unnamed woman from Pimlico were
taken,” she said.
Disturbingly, about 36 calls went unanswered each day on average.
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Paralysed by the pandemic, the Palaszczuk government is finally pushing ahead with reform after months of pressure from service providers and the political opponents.
Within her first month as the new Minister for Domestic Violence Prevention, Shannon Fentiman has pledged to make coercive control a crime and promised to launch a review into the criminal justice system as it relates to women.
“We will be looking at a range of issues when we do this review, including hearing the experience of victims and key domestic and family violence and sexual violence stakeholders,” Ms Fentiman said during budget estimates.
“Of course, the inquest into Hannah Clarke’s death is due to make recommendations in the first half of next year, so we would want to consider those as well.
“The tragic case of Hannah Clarke and her children really has I think garnered everyone to look at what more we can do.”
The review will be the government’s first major investigation into domestic violence since the Not Now, Not Ever report.
For people needing help:
- Call triple zero for emergency assistance
- DVConnect Womensline – 1800 811 811
- DVConnect Mensline – 1800 600 636
- Kids Helpline – 1800 551 800
Lydia Lynch is Queensland political reporter for the Brisbane Times
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