- New law making 'ramming' of emergency vehicles its own offence to be put before parliament.
- Proposed legislation will make it a criminal offence for a vehicle to be used to cause damage to any emergency vehicle.
- Penalty of up to 14 years imprisonment
The Miles Government is driving tough action on reckless and dangerous driving – making the ramming of an emergency vehicle a stand alone offence – as part of its community safety plan.
A new law will be introduced to parliament next week, making the ramming of emergency services vehicles its own criminal offence, with a penalty of up to 14 years imprisonment.
In addition, a person who causes wilful damage to an emergency vehicle will now face up to 7 years imprisonment.
Every day emergency services staff face highly volatile situations across the state while performing their duties to protect the community.
The proposed legislation would see any person who uses a motor vehicle to cause damage to police or ambulance vehicles or fire appliances face an additional charge for that action on top of other relevant associated offences such as dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.
Over recent months there have been a significant number of ramming incidents targeting police vehicles.
Of those incidents, two resulted in a police officer being admitted to hospital and eight required medical or first aid treatment for injuries sustained from the crash.
This legislation aims to protect frontline emergency workers, while ensuring those recklessly putting lives at risk by ramming emergency vehicles, face the appropriate penalty before court.
The proposed new law draws on similar offences introduced in other states.
Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Miles:
"Disgracefully, Queensland's hardworking police have been victim to about 60 ramming incidents this year.
"These are our first responders, our life savers, and they have subject to violent attacks in the line of duty.
"Now, my government will introduce new laws into the parliament to make the ramming of an emergency vehicle a standalone offence.
"That means offenders held to account through tougher laws enacted as part of our targeted community safety plan."
Quotes attributable to Police Minister Mark Ryan
"Anyone ramming an emergency vehicle and putting our emergency services personnel lives on the line, deserves to face the consequences.
"Our incredible emergency services are on the frontline day and night facing volatile situations to protect the public.
"This law will ensure those who recklessly and intentionally use a motor vehicle as a weapon and ram an emergency vehicle, will be held accountable before court."
Quotes attributable to Commissioner Steve Gollschewski:
"To target emergency services by ramming is deplorable behaviour that not only risks the lives of our frontline but innocent members of the public as well.
"We see this behaviour all too often, and while our officers are tactically trained to respond, a motor vehicle can cause serious harm to anyone in its path.
"Queensland Police Service welcomes the proposed new law holding reckless drivers to account."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Mental Health, and Ambulance Services Shannon Fentiman:
"Every day, Queensland paramedics jump in an ambulance to care for those who need it most.
"Not only do these heroes deserve our respect and admiration, but they deserve to be safe at work.
"Late last year, we saw a disgraceful attempt to ram an ambulance vehicle responding to a critical code one emergency.
"This proposed law is an important step and will ensure that anyone putting the lives of emergency service personnel at risk will be held accountable."
Quotes attributable to Queensland Police Union President Ian Leavers:
"This new legislation is something the QPU has advocated for to protect police and other first responders. While it won't directly form a barrier to shield police, paramedics and firefighters it will hold those to account who threaten the lives of those who are working to assist the community.
"The Premier and Police Minister have listened to frontline police and have done something positive to make this type of dangerous and reckless behaviour a special offence. Using a vehicle as a weapon is disgraceful and the potential for life changing injuries is extreme.
"I encourage all sides of politics to support this legislation in a bipartisan way and enact this law as soon as possible."
Quotes attributable to Mundingburra MP Les Walker:
"We know our emergency service workers are often faced with significant risks while doing their job, and anyone that targets them should be held accountable which is what these new laws will do.
"We will always work with the Queensland Police Service and all emergency services to ensure we have the right laws in place to protect our frontline workers."
Quotes attributable to Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper:
"Being a former paramedic I know the risks our emergency service personnel place themselves in to serve the community.
"I make no apologies to making sure anyone who targets people trying to keep our community safe are held accountable for their disgraceful actions."
Quotes attributable to Townsville MP Scott Stewart:
"It is simply disgusting behaviour whenever someone targets our emergency services.
"I'm proud to be part of this government that is putting in place laws to make sure offenders face the consequences of their actions."
