Queensland Parliament sat from 11 to 13 May 2021 (inclusive).
Legislation passed this Parliament
The following legislation was passed by the Legislative Assembly:
- Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2020
- Nature Conservation and Other Legislation (Indigenous Joint Management – Moreton Island) Amendment Bill 2020
Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2020
The Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2020 was introduced into the Legislative Assembly on 26 November 2020 by the Minister for Education, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Racing, Grace Grace MP, and was passed with amendment on 12 May 2021.
The Bill amends the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 and the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Regulation 2014.
As outlined in the explanatory notes, the Bill introduces presumptive workers’ compensation laws for first responders diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The objective of the Bill is to provide an alternative claims pathway for first responders with PTSD that presumes they have a work-related injury, unless it is proved their injury was not caused by work. The presumption of injury will apply to defined first responders and other eligible employees which are prescribed in the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Regulation 2014.
The Bill was amended during consideration to clarify that the presumption applies to mines rescue team members and employees of local government whose duties correspond to that of an ambulance officer or a fire service officer.
Useful links:
- Bill as introduced
- Explanatory notes
- Statement of compatibility
- Amendments to the Bill
- Explanatory notes to the amendments
- Statement of compatibility to the amendments
- QLS submission on the Bill as introduced.
Nature Conservation and Other Legislation (Indigenous Joint Management – Moreton Island) Amendment Bill 2020
The Nature Conservation and Other Legislation (Indigenous Joint Management – Moreton Island) Amendment Bill 2020 was introduced into the Legislative Assembly on 3 December 2020 by the Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science and Youth Affairs, Meaghan Scanlon MP and was passed without amendment on 13 May 2021.
The Bill amends the Aboriginal Land Act 1991, the Nature Conservation Act 1992, the Recreation Areas Management Act 2006 and the Torres Strait Islander Land Act 1991.
As outlined in the explanatory notes, the primary policy objective of the Bill is to provide for the joint management of protected areas on Moreton Island (Mulgumpin). The Bill follows the Federal Court of Australia’s native title consent determination recognising the Quandamooka people’s native title rights on Moreton Island.
The secondary policy objectives of the Bill are to make a number of minor amendments to provide clarification about the operation of existing provisions and provide consistency across related legislation.
Useful links:
Subordinate legislation
Subordinate Queensland legislation notified in 2021 is available online.
Subordinate legislation notified on the Queensland Legislation website from 24 April 2021 to 14 May 2021.
- SL No.42 of 2021: Environmental Protection (Commercial Cropping and Horticulture Activities in Great Barrier Reef Catchment) Amendment Regulation 2021
- SL No.41 of 2021: Evidence (Intermediaries) Amendment Regulation 2021
- SL No.40 of 2021: Proclamation—Criminal Code (Child Sexual Offences Reform) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2020 (commencing remaining provisions)
- SL No.39 of 2021: Legal Profession Amendment Regulation 2021
- SL No.38 of 2021: Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation (COVID-19 Emergency Response) Amendment Regulation 2021
- SL No.37 of 2021: Queensland Building and Construction Commission and Other Legislation Amendment Regulation 2021
- SL No.36 of 2021: Nature Conservation and Other Legislation Amendment Regulation 2021
- SL No.35 of 2021: Liquor (Artisan Liquor) Amendment Regulation 2021
- SL No.34 of 2021: Hospital and Health Boards (Health Equity Strategies) Amendment Regulation 2021
- SL No.33 of 2021: Proclamation No.2—Health Legislation Amendment Act 2020 (commencing remaining provisions)
Queensland Government Gazette
The Queensland Government Gazettes for 2020 are available online.
Parliamentary sitting dates
As indicated on the parliamentary website, the Queensland Parliament is currently scheduled to next sit on 25 to 27 May 2021.
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