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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2023-08-30 Daily Xml
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Commissioner for Victims' Rights

The Hon. I. PNEVMATIKOS (14:47): My question is to the Attorney-General. Will the minister inform the council about the recent appointment of a new Commissioner for Victims' Rights?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:48): I thank the honourable member for her question and her interest in the area of victims' rights and keeping South Australia safe. Over the parliamentary winter break, the Commissioner for Victims' Rights office saw a changeover in commissioner after Bronwyn Killmier stepped down from the role as her five-year term had come to an end.

I am very pleased to share that the newly appointed commissioner is Ms Sarah Quick, bringing to the role over a decade of experience working in that office, having commenced in her role as the new commissioner earlier this month on 1 August. Ms Quick first started in the commissioner's office in 2008 under the inaugural Commissioner for Victims' Rights, Mr Michael O'Connell, as a program and policy officer before being elevated to assistant commissioner in 2017.

During her time in the commissioner's office, Ms Quick gained an excellent reputation for her tireless, compassionate, victim-centric work, which was formally acknowledged when she was awarded the Victim Support Service's Victim Service Worker of the Year. I am confident that Ms Quick will make an excellent Commissioner for Victims' Rights in South Australia, and I very much look forward to working with her to continue the great work that the office has achieved so far.

I would also like to take the opportunity to thank and pay tribute to the former commissioner, Bronwyn Killmier, for her dedicated and passionate work over the five years she served in the role. As a former Deputy Commissioner with South Australia Police, Ms Killmier brought a very unique experience to the role with firsthand insight as to how best to deal with victims and advocate for their rights.

During her time as commissioner, it was a pleasure to work with Ms Killmier and achieve many positive outcomes for victims in South Australia, including the establishment of the Victims of Crime Consultative Committee, establishing Victims' Day for South Australia, modernising the Victims of Crime SA website and developing the victim impact statement online tool.

Ms Killmier was also a strong advocate in recent changes that were made to dangerous driving laws and for tougher penalties for those who conceal bodies. A particular highlight was the changes that have been made to the provision of victim impact statements off the back of the commissioner raising various issues where changes will now ensure that victims' views are heard in their entirety without interference. Further reforms to victim impact statements are currently being undertaken. I thank the former commissioner for all her advice and valuable feedback during the development of this significant piece of work. Further, to continue that work, the commissioner's progression of the office in the new case management system is also currently being realised, with the system up and running later this year.

I wish to sincerely thank Ms Killmier for her five years of service as commissioner and tireless advocacy, during which time she always had the victims as a focal point. Whilst I wish Ms Killmier all the best for the future, I very much look forward to seeing Ms Quick continue that good work as she commences her five-year term as commissioner.

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