Queensland Parliament has passed new sexual consent laws that require people to consent or reject a sexual act verbally. This means that silence or intoxication can no longer imply agreement was given for sexual relations. Under the new law, which had bipartisan support, consent can also be withdrawn by words or actions during the act of sexual relations. However, alleged perpetrators can still use mistaking consent—such as by there not being a verbal rejection—as a criminal defence against sexual assault in some circumstances. The Queensland Greens unsuccessfully tried to move last-minute amendments to mandate affirmative consent and remove the mistake of fact defence. Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman said the updated laws were an “important first step” but said there was more to do. “We have enshrined in the Criminal Code principles like silence doesn’t amount to consent, consent once given can be withdrawn, and the self-intoxication of a defendant cannot be …
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