Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House that current legislation fails to adequately protect victims from prosecution following the act of defending themselves or others against an intruder(s) after a home invasion.

Every Queenslander deserves the right to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their property. Currently, in Queensland if a person chooses to defend themselves or others during a home invasion they may only use force that is reasonably necessary in all of the circumstances. What is reasonable is all of the circumstances is open to a broad interpretation. Homeowners may end up facing criminal charges such as assault or murder.  

Queenslanders do not feel safe in their own homes knowing that offenders have more rights than occupants. The law does not protect victims of crime and forces them to second-guess their actions when faced with a split-second, life-threatening situation. Good laws should be in place to protect good people. 

Castle Law (or the Castle Doctrine) is a principle grounded in the fundamental right to self-defence. Introducing Castle Law in Queensland would give victims the right to use whatever force necessary to protect themselves, others within the premises and their property if faced with an intruder(s). Giving victims the right to defend themselves without fear of prosecution puts the rights of victims before the rights of criminals.

A Queenslander’s home is their castle.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to do all in its power to legislate Castle Law in Queensland.