The State Opposition's policy on domestic violence is about 15 years too late, a leading domestic and family violence analyst said recently.

Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research Director Heather Nancarrow said legislation introduced in 1989 allowed police to take action, even where the victim was reluctant to pursue legal intervention.

"Most of the initiatives outlined in the Coalition's policy were implemented with the introduction of Queensland's domestic violence legislation in 1989, " she said.

"The legislation was introduced after a year-long Domestic Violence Taskforce investigation, which identified the need for legislative provisions that would take account of the nature of domestic violence, including the tactics of intimidation and harassment that had previously helped perpetrators avoid court action.

"Mr Springborg's promise to give Magistrates authority to issue protection orders by fax or phone where courts were not sitting is also 15 years too late.

"Magistrates currently have the power to make a temporary order in response to a police application by fax or phone. The proposed 72-hour limit on the temporary order is impractical because in many rural and remote areas of the state the court is convened only monthly." She expected National Party leader Lawrence Springborg would be more aware of the needs of rural and remote communities.

The Coalition's policy also suggests that Domestic Violence Order applicants swear an oath to prevent DVOs being used and abused.

"This suggests that Magistrates are incompetent in carrying out their duties as the legislation requires a Magistrate to determine that domestic violence has occurred and is likely to occur again before making a domestic violence protection order.

"Also, almost half (45%) of DVO applicants are police and the legislation provides very clear directions for police investigations of domestic and family violence matters, before proceeding with an application.

"Mr Springborg's vision of a domestic and family violence database is also dated, as the Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research launched its Domestic and Family Violence database, with data being collected by 27 agencies throughout the State from October 1, 2003.

"This data from community-based domestic and family violence service providers will supplement police, court and legal-aid data being co-ordinated by the State's Department of Families.

"It's great to see that the Opposition recognises domestic and family violence is serious and that it has produced a relatively sound policy, although it is somewhat dated. It is unfortunate that they have not seized the opportunity to develop a policy statement that recognises the interrelationship between domestic violence and child abuse and seeks to address the causes and consequences of both.".

She said such a stance would be a significant advance and appropriate response to the recent Crime and Misconduct Commission report on abuse of children.