The new laws, known as ‘Joanne’s Law’ were advocated for by Ron Lillecrapp, whose sister Joanne was murdered, as well as former Commissioner for Victims’ Rights Bronwyn Killmier and current Commissioner Sarah Quick

Mr Lillecrapp had his victim impact statement edited in 2022 at a parole hearing for Joanne’s murderer.

The reforms are aimed at addressing concerns around the lack of control and knowledge that victims have about providing a victim impact statement.

Under the reforms, the court will now be required to adjourn sentencing proceedings under certain circumstances to give victims a reasonable opportunity to prepare a victim impact statement.

In addition, victims will have to be informed about their right to provide a statement, and how it may be taken into account during the sentencing process.

Courts will also be unable to refuse to receive a statement on the grounds it contains irrelevant or inflammatory material, and instead will maintain the discretion to determine what parts of the statement are relevant to the sentencing process, reducing the need for any editing of victim’s statements.

The time for victims to seek victims of crime compensation has also been extended to five years from either the date of the offence or the death of the victim – giving people more time to apply for compensation for their injuries resulting from an offence.