The Queensland Government will consider appealing the suspended sentence given to a man who pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of his four-year-old stepson and smiled and laughed as he walked free.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says she'll ask Attorney-General Yvette D'ath to look at the sentence, which has angered child protection advocates who think the sentence was unacceptable and were appalled by Matthew Scown's response.
"I'm angry too. How insensitive is that for the man to be laughing after the death of his stepson. Absolutely, absolutely unacceptable," Ms Palaszczuk told Nine on Thursday.
Scown was sentenced on Wednesday to a maximum four years' jail for the manslaughter of Tyrell Cobb, having already spent two years and eight months in custody.
He had initially been charged with murder but pleaded guilty to lesser charge ahead of sentence on Wednesday.
Justice Martin Burns said Scown was not responsible for the injuries that killed Tyrell, but had failed in his duty of care to the boy who died on the Gold Coast in May 2009.
He had 53 bruises and 17 abrasions from head to legs when he died, the court heard.
Scown walked out of the Supreme Court in Brisbane smiling and laughing, but Bravehearts founder Hetty Johnson wasn't.
"They're doing all these plea bargains just to move cases through ... (it's) expedition at the cost of these kids," she told the Courier Mail.
"I think if the DPP had the resources and the backbone they should have gone for him (Scown)."
Ms Palaszczuk said she couldn't judge the sentencing decision, but was willing to listen to suggestions for changes.
"If (Ms Johnson) has any ideas of how to improve the system I'm all for it."