### Queensland Police face criticism over post-murder comments
Senior officers in Queensland defended controversial remarks made by a detective following the murder of Hannah Clarke and her three children in 2020. The statements, described by many as victim-blaming, were later explained as part of a poorly managed media strategy by the police.
### Context of the controversy
Detective Inspector Mark Thompson’s comments during a press conference shortly after the tragedy urged the public to consider the perspectives of both parents, sparking outrage. The remarks came after Clarke’s estranged husband set their car on fire, killing her and their children.
> “We need to look at this issue on both sides,” Thompson had said, a comment that drew sharp criticism from domestic violence advocates and community members who argued it minimized the victim’s suffering.
### Police internal review and justification
According to a presentation shown to officers, the comments were part of a “media-management” approach designed to encourage witnesses to come forward. Senior officials later admitted the communications strategy failed to protect the police’s reputation and caused further pain to the victims’ family.
### Internal defense of actions
Some within the force argued that Thompson was under immense pressure and lacked sufficient briefings before facing the media. Others maintained the force should have better guided officers in communicating sensitively about domestic violence cases.
> “The messaging was not just poorly timed — it lacked empathy,” one police communications official reportedly said.
### Broader implications
The incident triggered national debate about police responses to domestic violence and how institutional language can perpetuate harmful narratives. Queensland Police stated they have since introduced media training focused on victim sensitivity and trauma-informed communication.
> “We’ve learned hard lessons from this tragedy,” a spokesperson said, emphasizing efforts to rebuild trust with domestic violence victims and advocacy groups.
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**Author Summary:** The Queensland Police justified a detective’s controversial “victim blaming” remarks after the Hannah Clarke murders as part of a failed media strategy, prompting reviews and training reforms in communication ethics.
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The Guardian — 2025-11-30