BRISBANE, Queensland, Oct. 15 -- The Queensland Department of the Premier and Cabinet issued text of the following statement:

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity

The Honourable Deb Frecklington

* The Crisafulli Government is putting victims and their families first, after they were ignored by Labor, by reducing delays in the coronial system so families receive answers sooner and matters can be finalised more efficiently. * New reforms will streamlinecoronial processes and procedures to improve the timeliness of investigations and inquests. * Changes include strengthening support for families and victims by creating a more responsive and accessiblecoronial system.

The Crisafulli Government has passed reforms to streamline Queensland's coronial system, helping reduce delays, ease pressure on coroners and deliver timely answers to grieving families.

The Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 passed Parliament today, introducing targeted amendments to the Coroners Act 2003 that will improve efficiency while maintaining the integrity, independence and oversight of the coronial process.

The reforms are designed to streamline coronial processes while maintaining the thoroughness of investigations, helping ensure families receive answers sooner following the loss of a loved one.

Key changes include:

* Clarifying the State Coroner's power to delegate appropriate functions to registrars and suitably qualified deputy registrars, allowing less complex matters to be progressed and finalised more efficiently. * Allowing any coroner to investigate and conduct mandatory inquests into deaths in custody or during police operations that result from natural causes, reducing demand on the State Coroner. * Improving transparency by allowing coroners to state in their findings that information has been, or will be, referred to authorities such as the Director of Public Prosecutions where appropriate. * Expanding eligibility for appointment as Chairperson of the Domestic and Family Violence Death Review and Advisory Board to all coroners, including those with qualifications or specialist experience inDFV matters. * Expandingcoronial oversight of deaths in care by allowing reportable deaths to include people receiving disability support through the Commonwealth Government's Disability Support for Older Australians Program.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity Deb Frecklington said the reforms would help ensure coronial matters are dealt with more efficiently while continuing to uphold rigorous standards of investigation and accountability.

"Too many families have been left waiting years for answers after the loss of a loved one. These reforms put victims and their families first by delivering faster access to justice, reducing delays and helping provide the certainty and closure Queenslanders deserve," the Attorney-General said.

"These reforms are about ensuring Queensland's coronial system can respond more effectively to increasing demand while maintaining the high standards families rightly expect.

"These changes will help reduce unnecessary delays and ensure coronial resources are focused where they are needed most."

The amendments will commence on proclamation.

ENDS

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