Support the Queensland
“Coward Strike” Law Reform
We are seeking support for proposed Queensland law reform to recognise a qualifying “Coward Strike” as a statutory circumstance of aggravation for relevant serious unlawful assault offences.
Important: This form records support for the campaign. It is not an official Queensland Parliament E-Petition and a submission here does not constitute signing the Parliament's E-Petition. The official E-Petition must be signed through the Queensland Parliament website.
Proposed petition wording
To: The Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland.
The petition of residents of the State of Queensland draws to the attention of the House that Queensland law provides serious offences for assaults causing bodily harm or grievous bodily harm. However, the law does not specifically recognise the particular seriousness of an unlawful “Coward Strike”—an intentional strike against a person who is unaware of the impending attack or is otherwise unable to reasonably anticipate or defend against it.
Such attacks can cause devastating and permanent injury and significant physical and psychological harm to victims and their families. The manner in which such an assault is committed should be recognised as a significant factor when determining the appropriate sentence.
The petitioners believe Queensland law should provide a stronger deterrent against Coward Strikes while retaining existing assault offences and sentencing provisions.
Your petitioners therefore request the House to:
Introduce legislation recognising “Coward Strike” as a defined statutory circumstance of aggravation for relevant offences involving unlawful assault causing bodily harm or grievous bodily harm;
Require courts to treat a proven Coward Strike as a significant aggravating factor when sentencing;
Provide substantially stronger sentencing consequences for offences involving a proven Coward Strike, including consideration of appropriate minimum sentencing provisions;
Ensure the existing offence of unlawful striking causing death remains in force and is not diminished by these changes.
Register your support below
Important note: This document is a community law-reform proposal and is not intended to constitute legal advice or final legislative drafting. Any proposed amendment should be reviewed and drafted by appropriately qualified Queensland criminal-law and legislative-drafting professionals.