No Safe Haven: Time for Castle Law

OPINION PIECE

Recently, a Townsville mother endured a terrifying home invasion when three teenagers allegedly broke in and held her at knifepoint before stealing the family car. This was on Mother’s Day and all while her children were asleep. No one should feel this unsafe, vulnerable and scared in their own home.

The Queensland Government's Making Queensland Safer (Adult Crime, Adult Time) Amendment Bill 2025, which we anticipate will go to a vote in the next Parliamentary sitting, aims to increase penalties for youth offenders who commit certain crimes. However, the Adult Crime, Adult Time laws already cover offences such as unlawful use of a motor vehicle and break and enter, yet we continue to see far too many home invasions and car thefts. Clearly these laws are not having the desired impact.

To effectively deter would-be criminals and restore residents’ peace of mind, Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) is again calling for Castle Law to be legislated in Queensland. Castle Law is based on the fundamental right to self-defence. Its introduction would give victims the legal right to use whatever force is necessary to protect themselves, others in the home, and their property if faced with an intruder.

Currently, Queensland law only allows the use of force deemed "reasonably necessary" in all the circumstances, a standard that is open to broad interpretation. As a result, homeowners defending themselves may face serious charges such as assault or even murder.

We are calling on the Crisafulli Government to amend their draft legislation currently before the House to include Castle Law. If they fail to act, we will launch another parliamentary petition. Last year, our petition to introduce Castle Law was strongly supported by Queenslanders, gathering over 40,000 signatures in just five weeks!

Should the incoming government refuse to legislate Castle Law, and if the renewed petition is again an overwhelming success, we will introduce our own Castle Law bill into the Queensland Parliament and force the Parliament to debate and vote on Castle Law.

I hope the new LNP Government has learnt from Labor’s mistakes, Queenslanders want the right to defend themselves with whatever means necessary. Castle Law is about galvanising the rights of victims.

Contributed with thanks to Member for Hinchinbrook Nick Dametto.

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