Harsher Qld laws target domestic violence

Queensland's government is taking a tougher line on those found guilty of domestic violence in an effort to overcome a growing crisis in the state.

Anyone who breaches a domestic violence order will face a longer jail term, domestic violence convictions will be recorded and a special board will be set up to investigate domestic violence deaths.

Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath says that when combined with community efforts, the harsher penalties provided for under laws tabled in the state parliament on Tuesday will help eradicate the scourge of the violence.

"Domestic and family violence affects women, men, children and families from all sections of society," she told the parliament.

"It is a scourge upon our community.

"We must make sure the perpetrators are aware of the seriousness of their offending."

The focus on domestic violence comes after the deaths of two women and a six-year-old girl, and a machete attack on another woman, in southeast Queensland last week.

MPs on both sides of politics spoke about the crisis on Tuesday, with former surgeon and State Development Minister Anthony Lynham sharing a particularly ghastly story of one encounter with a victim.

Dr Lynham told the House how his 20 years as a surgeon encouraged him to become an anti-violence campaigner and enter politics.

One patient in particular had stuck with him.

"I recall the woman who'd been bashed with a baseball bat," Dr Lynham said.

"Her face was shattered.

"As our team put her back together we realised there was a bit missing. Part of her scalp and forehead was just missing."

Dr Lynham said the Royal Brisbane Hospital trauma team did the best they could, but the woman lost sight in one eye and would never be the same.

"But that's not the worst because surgeons never see the worst ones," he said.

"They're in the morgue."

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk repeated calls for a national summit to address the domestic violence emergency.

Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg again offered bipartisan support for the government to act on the crisis, but stressed the need for careful planning and co-operation.

"This is a scourge, and it is going to take a long time to do something about it," Mr Springborg said.

"The steps that we put in place immediately should be able to bring some finality for many people into the future."