Double jeopardy laws brought forward in light of Queensland DNA inquiry - 9News

Double jeopardy refers to the defence of an accused person who has already been tried for an offence not being able to be charged with the same offence again.

But Queensland is looking to change the breadth of the exceptions to be in line with other states.

Queensland attorney-general Shannon Fentiman will introduce a double jeopardy exception bill to parliament. (9News)

Attorney-general Shannon Fentiman said she will propose a bill to parliament early next year to introduce broader fresh and compelling exceptions to double jeopardy laws and to ensure it applies to more "serious indictable offences" like rape instead of just murder.

It comes as the state government handed down its response to the inquiry into forensic DNA testing labs and the failures over the past six years.

Commissioner Walter Sofronoff called the report "horrible reading" after exposing alarming oversights in forensic testing including many DNA swabs in sexual assault cases being missed or not properly tested.

The report found "serious" failings, with workers lying for years about what was going on inside the lab.

Government accepts all recommendations, commits $95m

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced today the government accepts all 123 recommendations made by the report and has committed $95 million to implement the changes.

The first changes that will be implemented include establishing an independent interim body to oversee the lab.

The Queensland government has accepted all of the DNA inquiry recommendations. (9News)

Professor Linzi Wilson-Wilde, best known for her forensic work into the 2002 Bali Bombings, has been appointed interim CEO of the independent body.

A new scientific advisory committee will also be established to provide expert advice to the lab.

Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said 41 ongoing staff will be hired to aid the independent body with 22 additional temporary staff.

Staff to be fired over report

Sofronoff flagged there would be changes to the leadership at the lab and today D'Ath revealed three staff members have been issued cause letters, two of whom are already suspended, and another two staff members will be given please explain letters.

Palaszczuk said the report clearly showed "not only were senior people lied to but the people of Queensland were lied to" by the lab's leadership.

"The people who ran the lab should absolutely be apologising," she said.

"But they're now going to face the CCC (Crime and Corruption Commission). I think that's a pretty serious consequence."

Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said leadership will now face the corruption commission. (9News)

'This is just the start': Thousands of cases to be reviewed

The failings of the lab meant thousands of forensic samples needed to be retested and reviewed.

D'Ath flagged many more samples will need to be retested as the full extent of the failures of the lab comes to light.

"This is just the start. There are many thousands of samples that need to be identified," she said.

The entire inquiry began after the problems in the lab were exposed by a podcast series on the murder of Shandee Blackburn, who died after being stabbed multiple times as she walked home from work in Mackay.

Blackburn's mum, Vicki, like many other cases caught up in the bungled forensic testing now hope justice will be served and cases solved.

Shandee Blackburn's forensic testing was caught up in the DNA lab bungle. (Facebook)

The labs will also be trialling new rape kits, modelled off those used in NSW and Victoria, as well as intensive training and upskilling of workers relating to sexual offences.

'There are cultural issues across Queensland Health'

D'Ath condemned the culture in Queensland Health as contributing to the failures of the forensic lab.

"What this report shows, what the Mackay investigation shows, and Caboolture report shows is that there are cultural issues across Queensland Health," she said.

Queensland health minister Yvette D'Ath said there is a culture issue in the state's health system. (9News)

"It is very concerning not only are staff not willing to speak up but staff are scared to speak up in some areas of Queensland Health."

D'Ath said the culture "has to change" and leadership needs to be held accountable and unable to sweep issues under the rug.

Crisis support is available from Lifeline on 13 11 14.

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2022-12-15 09:30:27Z
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