Special assistance payments for Queensland domestic violence victims will increase from $1000 to $9000 under amendments tabled to parliament.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced reforms that will invest $185 million to reset the upper cap financial assistance for victims from $75,000 to $120,000 and increase payments available for funeral expenses and distress payments.
An additional $80 million will be invested to establish a Victims Commissioner Office.
"Victims must be front and centre when we are talking about these very complex issues," Ms Palaszczuk said on Tuesday.
"The proposed changes that will be introduced today for special assistance payments for domestic and family violence victims will increase from $1000 to $9,000.
"Sometimes these families are escaping violent situations with just the clothes on their backs.
"So we must do whatever we can to make life a lot better for these women and their children."
Police Minister Mark Ryan introduced amendments to the Victims of Crime Assistance Act.
He said the amount of assistance available will hinge on specific types of victims, crimes committed and injuries suffered.
The bill will increase special assistance payments for victims of murder and rape, under category A, from $10,000 to $15,000.
Category B payments involving victims of sexual offences, GBH, torture, will increase from $3,500 to $9,000.
Serious assault and unlawful wounding payments under category C will increase from $2,000 to $6,000 and category D payments for unlawful stalking and domestic violence from $1,000 to $3,000.
"Financial assistance may include expenses incurred in helping the victim recover, for example, medical counselling, legal expenses, costs of relocation, funeral expenses for a person who was killed by an act of violence, or a one off special assistance payment," Mr Ryan said.
"These amendments are intended to better recognise the serious and detrimental effect of domestic and family violence on victim survivors and ensure they can receive increased financial assistance to support them in their recovery."
