Murder charge to change in Queensland

WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED?

- The Queensland government wants to broaden the definition of murder to take in killers who show a lack of concern for their victims, particularly those who are vulnerable, like children, elderly and disabled people.

HOW WILL IT CHANGE?

- A new element of fault will be added to existing laws to take in killers who show a callous disregard for the life of their victim, for example, a parent or carer who inflicts continuous abuse that leads to a child's death.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

- The Queensland government will work with legal experts to draft laws it will then introduce to parliament next year.

- It is unclear if those laws will be retrospective, but Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath says she wants police and prosecutors to have all the resources they need bring child killers to justice.

- It comes after widespread public outrage that killers being convicted of manslaughter are not facing harsh enough consequences.

WHO WILL IT AFFECT?

- Killers of children and adults, but particularly those behind crimes against victims who are young, disabled or elderly.

WHY IS IT BEING AMENDED?

- Research by the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council shows more needs to be done to deter parents from harming their children.

- Ms D'Ath wants to send a strong message that those who do not provide proper care and protection to their children will face punishment.