A Bill introduced by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was to drop the three-year statute of limitations for victims of institutional abuse, as recommended by the Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse.

It will amend current laws that mean a victim has only three years until after their 18th birthday to commence proceedings.

But Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath today indicated the Government was willing to go further following calls from the Opposition and survivors to extend the laws to victims of all child sexual abuse in all settings, including by family.

“If the Opposition seeks to progress such an amendment and subject to the wording of that amendment, the Government indicates its in-principle support,” she said.

Ms D’Ath said the Government was also willing to consider dropping the statute of limitations for all victims of child abuse, including severe physical abuse, following “further targeted consideration”.

But Shadow Attorney-General Ian Walker said the Opposition did not support that move.

He said that, rightly or wrongly, time limits did stand for civil action.

He said sexual assault should be treated differently to physical assault because of the length of time it took people to come to terms with sexual assault.

Mr Walker also put forward amendments that would give courts power to allow a survivor to take civil action even if they had already entered into a confidential settlement that would normally prohibit further court action.

The Government’s Bill only allows for victims of state institutional facilities to do so, not victims of churches or other private organisations.

A private members Bill put forward by Independent MP Rob Pyne widening the definition of child abuse to cover serious physical abuse and reintroducing the right to civil trials by jury does not have support.

Debate on the Bill is continuing late Tuesday afternoon.