Gay panic law set to be scrapped in Qld

A parliamentary committee has recommended the so-called gay panic defence, or provocation, be scrapped in Queensland.

The partial defence to murder has allowed defendants to argue for a reduction in their criminal responsibility to manslaughter by claiming an unwanted homosexual advance provoked violence.

The six-person legal affairs and community safety committee on Tuesday recommended passing the Criminal Law Amendment Bill, introduced to parliament late last year by Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath, to end the provocation defence.