In Australia, domestic and family violence continues to be a nationwide epidemic. At least one woman is murdered at the hands of a current or previous intimate partner EVERY SINGLE WEEK. 

In 2014, Arona Peniamina viciously, deliberately and repeatedly stabbed his wife, Sandra, before bludgeoning her to death, smashing her skull in with a concrete block from their garden as she cowered behind a car. This took place in broad daylight in the suburban town of Kippa-Ring in Brisbane.

Peniamina had accused his wife of infidelity, which she refused to confirm or deny. She also refused to hand over her mobile phone. With that, he punched her in the face. In self defence, Sandra grabbed a kitchen knife. Peniamina then wrestled it from her, cutting his own hand in the process before stabbing her 29 times including 15 stab wounds to her face alone, the tip of the blade later found lodged in her skull.

She ran out into the street and tried to hide behind a car before Peniamina threw her down on the driveway and kicked her before bludgeoning her to death with a concrete block.

Peniamina was originally sentenced to life in prison for first degree murder. But on appeal, the Supreme Court quashed the conviction granting Peniamina a retrial, citing a "legal error" of the Judge presiding at the original hearing in 2018.

Though Peniamina has always admitted to murdering his wife, he claims to have been "provoked" in to doing so, arguing that he should be only be convicted of the lesser charge of manslaughter.

Pursuant to section 268 and 269 of the Criminal Code Act 1899 (Qld) (Criminal Code) provocation is defined as any wrongful act or insult of such a nature as to be likely to deprive an ordinary person of the power of self-control and to induce them to assault that person. 

The jury upheld his plea and on Monday, 1st November 2021, Justice Peter Davis handed down the reduced sentence of manslaughter after the jury had found the killing to be a “spontaneous reaction” – accepting a partial defence of provocation. He was sentenced to just 16 years behind bars, eligible for parole after just 12.5 years. 

Once again, the female victim of a devastating act of violence is to blame for the man's vile and emotionally unregulated behaviours.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. This archaic piece of legislation was enacted over 200 years ago and is in dire need of an overhaul. This could begin by immediately repealing sections 268 and 269 of the Code. 

We, the people of a democratic society, have the power to effect change for the betterment of our future and the future of our children. Please give 60 seconds or less of your time time sign this petition!