Queensland domestic violence minister faces criticism over resurfaced comments

Women's safety advocates have raised concerns after Amanda Stoker was appointed as Queensland's minister for the prevention of domestic violence, the Guardian reported. The rightwing member of parliament was appointed to the cabinet position on Saturday. [1]

According to the Guardian, critics highlighted resurfaced comments from a 2023 article in which Stoker argued that people should not blindly believe women who make allegations of violence. She claimed in the article that recent efforts focused on believing complaints rather than carefully examining them. [1]

The Guardian reported that Stoker is a former federal senator who has previously supported the rights of individuals accused of sexual assault. [1]

Queensland is located in northeastern Australia and is the second-largest state in the country by area. It became a self-governing colony in 1859 before joining as one of the six founding states of Australia during federation in 1901. [2][3]