The Queensland government is facing criticism over its handling of women's safety, with a leading domestic violence prevention figure expressing concern that key taskforce recommendations are being ignored.

Margaret McMurdo AC, the former chair of the Women's Safety and Justice Taskforce, shared her worries in a rare public statement, claiming the government has abandoned a critical part of the taskforce's recommendations.

The taskforce, established by the Palaszczuk government in 2021, made almost 300 calls for sweeping reforms across the criminal justice, policing, and corrections systems. McMurdo was particularly concerned about the fate of independent and regular monitoring of progress until all recommendations were completed.

This has not been done, McMurdo stated. The new group formed to take on the role of the implementation supervisor has not done it either.

In response, Queensland Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie downplayed McMurdo's comments, suggesting she was more interested in working with the previous Labor government. When asked about McMurdo's concerns, Bleijie said, I'm not sure she's engaged as enthusiastically with this government as she did with the Labor government previously.

Labor Opposition Leader Steven Miles jumped to McMurdo's defense, saying the continued scourge of violence against women showed the reforms stemming from the taskforce's work remained important.

We know that it's Amanda Camm who's dropped the ball here – a minister under significant pressure.*

The Women's Safety and Justice Taskforce was established after the Palaszczuk government made an election vow to outlaw coercive control and hear experiences of women across the justice system. McMurdo's taskforce released two major reports in 2021 and 2022, outlining sweeping reforms across the criminal justice, policing, and corrections systems.

The eventual supervisor's final progress report in November 2024 noted that while extensive effort had been put into the reform program, some foundational elements remain in the early stages. The office was quietly wound up last year.*

Amanda Camm, the minister responsible for the taskforce, has refused to provide more information about the work of the Domestic and Family Violence Reform Advisory Panel, which replaced the supervisor role.

The panel continues to meet, but Camm's office has yet to respond to requests for information about its work and whether it will be made public.*

Premier David Crisafulli's office has also not commented on McMurdo's statement.

Margaret McMurdo AC served as a judge and president of the Court of Appeals before becoming the chair of the Women's Safety and Justice Taskforce.

Jarrod Bleijie is the current Deputy Premier of Queensland and a senior figure in the LNP.*

Amanda Camm is the minister responsible for women's safety and the taskforce's legacy.*

The Palaszczuk government established the taskforce in 2021, making an election vow to outlaw coercive control and hear experiences of women across the justice system.*

The Queensland government established the Women's Safety and Justice Taskforce in 2021 to overhaul the state's approach to domestic and family violence.*

The taskforce's two major reports outlined sweeping reforms across the criminal justice, policing, and corrections systems.

The final progress report noted that while effort had been put into the reform program, some foundational elements remain in the early stages.*

The panel was established after the taskforce was wound up last year.

The Domestic and Family Violence Reform Advisory Panel continues to meet, but Camm's office has refused to provide information about its work.*

Camm's office was approached for a response to McMurdo's statement but had not replied by Thursday evening.

Bleijie's comments come as the alleged murder of a mother heaps pressure on the LNP over funding priorities.

The case has sparked calls for greater action on women's safety and violence prevention.

McMurdo's statement was her first public remarks about the taskforce's work since its final report.*

The taskforce's work remains crucial, with experts warning that the continued scourge of violence against women shows the need for sustained reform.

We know that it's Amanda Camm who's dropped the ball here – a minister under significant pressure.*

Amanda Camm has refused to provide information about the panel's work.

Camm's office was approached for a response but had not replied by Thursday evening.*