Amanda Stoker has been appointed Queensland's Minister for Families, Seniors and Disability Services and Minister for Child Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence. She replaces Amanda Camm, who stepped down from the role due to illness. Stoker previously worked at the private bar in commercial, administrative and corporate crime law, and served as an Australian senator. Her tasks include refining domestic and family violence laws, rolling out a perpetrator electronic monitoring pilot and expanding support for victims. Premier David Crisafulli said she will build on reforms begun by Camm.
Community members from Colac and the surrounding district turned Memorial Square purple for the second annual Walk for Respect against family violence. The event was held on October 27, 2026.
Police have arrested a 31-year-old man over a domestic violence incident that occurred in Alice Springs on Saturday. Officers from Strike Force Viper detained him at a property in the Sadadeen area on Monday afternoon, around 1:30pm. He has been remanded in custody while police prepare charges against him. He is expected to face the Alice Springs Local Court the following day.
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A former RAAF pilot accused of murdering his wife allegedly staged her death to look like an accident. Robert John Crawford is on trial for the alleged murder of his wife, Frances Crawford, at their Queensland home in July 2024. The court heard he allegedly strangled her or caused blunt force trauma to her head, then manipulated the scene to appear as if she fell while moving a ride-on mower. The prosecution claims Crawford wanted to avoid financial losses in a divorce settlement and retain possession of their home.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has appointed Amanda Stoker as the state's new child safety and domestic violence minister, replacing Amanda Camm, who is stepping down. Stoker will also take on the families, seniors and disability services portfolios. Camm cited the ongoing stresses of the role and her recovery from surgery in her decision, and said she had faced harassment and threats. Stoker has publicly expressed anti-abortion and anti-LGBT+ views, which has drawn criticism from Opposition Leader Steven Miles. Stoker said the role was difficult but that she came to parliament to do hard things.
Every murder-suicide examined in South Australia over a 20-year period occurred within a domestic relationship, new Adelaide University research has found. Women made up eight of the 10 victims. Researchers reviewed 363 adult homicide cases recorded between 2003 and 2022, and nine of the 10 victims were killed by an intimate partner. Researchers say the findings raise questions about how authorities identify and respond to warning signs. The researchers caution that the small number of cases limits the conclusions that can be drawn across the state.
Prosecutors have told a Brisbane Supreme Court jury that former RAAF pilot Robert John Crawford murdered his wife, Frances Crawford, in July 2024. Crown prosecutor Chris Cook alleges Mr Crawford staged her body to appear as if she had fallen from a ride-on lawnmower. Mr Crawford has pleaded not guilty and has always denied the charge. The Crown alleges a breakdown in the marriage, including affairs, and that Mr Crawford was motivated by his home and financial interests. The trial is expected to run for several weeks.
A Northern Territory review into child protection found that domestic violence by the girl's father was the biggest risk to five-year-old Kumanjayi Little Baby. The Department of Children and Families recorded 14 notifications linked to family violence since 2020, five of them in the weeks before her death. The review made 45 recommendations, which the government has accepted. Sector representatives said the recommendations were similar to earlier ones. Experts warned that treating family violence as a child protection issue could lead to victims losing their children.
Northern Territory Police are appealing for information after a domestic violence assault in Alice Springs. Police allege a 31-year-old man struck a 33-year-old woman several times to the face in a kitchen on Van Senden Avenue. He then allegedly assaulted a three-year-old boy who walked into the hallway. St John Ambulance assessed both victims. The boy appeared uninjured, while the woman suffered non-life-threatening facial injuries. A crime scene was declared, but the man remains outstanding. Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers.
A 26-year-old man who pleaded guilty to threatening to kill his ex-partner and her mother will remain in custody before sentencing. The threats were made in messages and a voicemail over three days in July, sent through social media and phone. Police arrested him at his Canberra home later that month. His lawyer said he has post-traumatic stress disorder and pointed to unpleasant messages from the ex-partner. The prosecutor opposed bail, and Special Magistrate Michael Cowen refused it. Sentencing is set for 18 December.
Amanda Stoker has been appointed Queensland's Minister for Domestic and Family Violence and Child Safety, replacing Amanda Camm. Stoker acknowledged the challenges ahead in a troubled ministry, citing the vulnerability of those affected. She previously served as a federal senator and won the state seat of Oodgeroo in 2022. Camm resigned citing health concerns and safety fears. Recent data showed a 60% increase in child deaths known to safety authorities, and a $183 million IT system rollout failed, leaving officers without vital information.
Oodgeroo MP Amanda Stoker has been appointed Queensland's new child safety and domestic and family violence minister. She replaces Amanda Camm, who stepped down from the portfolio this week, saying it was her decision. Stoker will also take on the families, seniors and disability services portfolios. The change is the first to the government's frontbench since David Crisafulli came to power in 2024. Camm had returned from six weeks of sick leave a fortnight earlier, and said her recovery was ongoing.
Waterford MP Shannon Fentiman says funding has been secured for a secure gate at Flindersia Park, which residents near Arcare Aged Care and Halcyon Rise had raised concerns about over hooning and safety. She has written to mayor Jon Raven and councillor Jacob Heremaia about the gate. Fentiman is also backing the RizeUp Christmas Gift Appeal, which supports families affected by domestic and family violence. Her electorate office is a drop-off point for gifts, which must be left by Thursday 10 December.
Indigenous health and children's advocates say the Webb review into Northern Territory child protection gives a chance to fix the sector, but only with genuine partnership with Aboriginal organisations. Critics say the review focused too narrowly on the child protection department and on the mother of Kumanjayi Little Baby, who was allegedly abducted and murdered in April. The Aboriginal Child Placement Principle, which keeps children connected to family and culture, was not addressed in the review's recommendations. Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, the child's aunt, accused advocates of an ideological approach.
Former Bachelor Sam Wood has lost a major part of his bid to keep court documents from the public. His lawyers sought a non-publication order at Brisbane Supreme Court over domestic violence accusations. Justice Patrick McCafferty only temporarily suppressed names, addresses and identifying details in the documents, not the full files. Wood faces charges including assault occasioning bodily harm and strangulation, which he denies. His bail application is due to be heard next Friday.
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Former Bachelor star Sam Wood has brought forward his second bail application in the Supreme Court, which will now be heard next Friday. The 46-year-old was arrested in Noosa on October 3 and charged with assault occasioning bodily harm and strangulation in a domestic setting. He denies the allegations and his lawyer has said he may argue self-defence. Wood remains in custody at Wolston Correctional Centre, where he has been placed in a separate wing under a safety order.
Former Bachelor star Sam Wood has lost his first attempt to stop media viewing court documents linked to his domestic violence bail case. Queensland Supreme Court Justice Patrick McCafferty suppressed only the names, addresses and identifying details of people named in the files. Media may report redacted versions until Wood's bail hearing, brought forward to Friday, October 30. Wood, 46, has been charged with assault occasioning bodily harm and strangulation in a domestic setting. Police allege he choked his wife, Snezana Wood. He has denied the allegations and remains in custody.
Queensland minister Amanda Camm has stepped down as minister for domestic and family violence and child safety. She cited health concerns and threats against her, and said the decision was hers alone. Premier David Crisafulli stood beside her and said an announcement on her replacement would come soon. Camm will remain the MP for Whitsunday but would not commit to contesting the seat at the next election. The opposition has repeatedly called for her to be sacked, and says the government has failed on child safety.
Got Your Back Sista is calling on Australians to walk or run this Sunday in its annual I Run For Her campaign against domestic and family violence. The seventh-year event has no set distance or fitness requirement and aims to honour victims and raise funds for survivors. The Newcastle-based charity marks its 10th anniversary this year, having supported more than 5,000 women and children. The Newcastle Knights backed the campaign, with players Mat Croker and Bo Vette-Welsh appearing in its promotional video.
Queensland minister Amanda Camm has resigned from cabinet, saying her recovery from health problems is ongoing. She said she had faced harassment, threats, bullying and personal vilification over the past year. Camm had been under pressure over child safety and domestic and family violence prevention, including budget cuts and reform delays. Premier David Crisafulli said she had not been removed over her performance. A replacement is expected to be announced later on Friday.
