Committee Details

About the BILL 

On Wednesday, 4 March 2026, Mr Robbie Katter MP, Member for Traeger, introduced the Criminal Code (Defence of Dwellings and Other Premises—Castle Law) Amendment Bill 2026 (Bill) into the Queensland Parliament. The Bill was referred to the Justice, Integrity and Community Safety Committee for detailed consideration. 

View: Explanatory speech
View: Bill
View: Explanatory Notes
View: Statement of compatibility

The objective of the Bill is to amend section 267 of the Queensland Criminal Code (the Code) to provide clearer guidance and legal protection for individuals who use force to defend themselves or others within their homes. This amendment is commonly referred to as the ‘Castle Doctrine’. 

The Bill strengthens the rights of law-abiding Queenslanders to defend their dwellings and other premises from unlawful intrusion, seeks to broaden the circumstances in which an individual can lawfully respond to a home invasion with such force that may result in grievous bodily harm or even death to the intruder. 

The amendments: 

• codify “castle law” principles within the Criminal Code;
• extend protection beyond dwellings to other premises;
• clarify when force may lawfully be used against an intruder;
• recognise that certain aggravated intrusions justify stronger defensive action; and
• provide legal certainty for both homeowners and courts.

Committee’s report

The committee is due to table its report on Monday, 7 September 2026. The report will be published here.

Further information

Further information including written briefings, correspondence, response to submissions, transcripts and answers to questions taken on notice will be available in due course.

Timeline