“Combined with her extensive practice in criminal law at the bar and, her role as the inaugural parliamentary criminal justice commissioner (as it was then known), former judge Dick could not be more highly experienced to undertake this important review,” the A-G said. 

Ms Dick has had a 50-year career in law and has held the positions of acting judge in the Supreme Court of Queensland, president and judge of the Children’s Court of Queensland, and judge at the District Court of Queensland.

“In 2016, the Palaszczuk government introduced a new serious and organised crime regime underpinned by the Serious and Organised Crime Legislation Amendment Act 2016,” said the A-G. 

“This included laws designed to target criminal organisations that engage in serious crimes, including trafficking dangerous drugs, unlawfully supplying weapons, possessing child exploitation material and fraud.

“In addition, the act included consorting laws that disrupt association between recognised offenders that facilitates and enables serious and organised criminal activity,” the A-G said.

The 2016 legislation required that key elements of the serious and organised crime regime be reviewed as soon as practicable, five years after the provisions commenced. 

Under the review’s terms of reference, Ms Dick will consider the effectiveness of consorting provisions in the Criminal Code and Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000.

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She will also consider whether the serious and organised crime circumstance of aggravation in the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992 and relevant provisions of the Peace and Good Behaviour Act are meeting their objectives.

Ms Dick is due to deliver her report to the Attorney-General by 31 January 2023.