Queensland Parliament sat from 11 October to 14 October 2022.
Bills introduced
The following Bills were introduced into the Legislative Assembly:
- Appropriation (Parliament) Bill (No.3) 2022
- Appropriation Bill (No.3) 2022
- Betting Tax and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022
- Coal Mining Safety and Health and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022
- Domestic and Family Violence Protection (Combating Coercive Control) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022
- Environmental Protection and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022
- Integrity and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022
- Liquid Fuel Supply (Minimum Biobased Petrol Content) Amendment Bill 2022
- Public Sector Bill 2022
- Water Legislation Amendment Bill 2022
Appropriation (Parliament) Bill (No.3) 2022
On 12 October 2022, the Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment, Cameron Dick, introduced the Appropriation (Parliament) Bill (No.3) 2022.
The purpose of the Appropriation (Parliament) Bill (No.3) 2022 is to authorise a supplementary appropriation for the Legislative Assembly and Parliamentary Service for unforeseen expenditure that occurred in the 2021-22 financial year. The Treasurer has advised that the $2.185 million supplementary appropriation for 2021-22 is related to expenditure from the consolidated fund in excess of the amounts already authorised, in accordance with section 35 of the Financial Accountability Act 2009.
Useful resources:
The Bill was referred to the Economics and Governance Committee to report on by 4 November 2022.
Appropriation Bill (No.3) 2022
On 12 October 2022, the Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment, Cameron Dick, introduced the Appropriation Bill (No.3) 2022.
The purpose of the Appropriation Bill (No.3) 2022 is to authorise a supplementary appropriation for unforeseen expenditure by government departments as set out in Schedule 1 of the Bill, for the 2021-22 financial year. The $2,823,124 million supplementary appropriation relates to expenditure incurred by 14 of the Queensland Government departments and agencies.
Useful resources:
The Bill was referred to the Economics and Governance Committee to report on by 4 November 2022.
Betting Tax and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022
On 12 October 2022, the Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment, Cameron Dick, introduced the Betting Tax and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022.
The main objective of the Bill is to provide for a more sustainable funding model for Queensland’s racing industry, primarily by amending the Betting Tax Act 2018, from 1 December 2022, to:
- introduce a 5% racing levy in addition to the 15% betting tax rate
- incorporate free bets into the calculation of betting tax
- provide for the hypothecation of 80% of annual betting tax revenue to the Racing Queensland Board.
The Bill also makes associated amendments to the Racing Act 2002. The policy objective for these amendments is to ensure that country thoroughbred race meetings in Queensland receive a minimum amount of funding, as a portion of the hypothecated betting tax revenue paid to the Racing Queensland Board under the Betting Tax Act 2018.
The Bill also amends the Payroll Tax Act 1971 to give effect to administrative, machinery and transitional arrangements required to support the mental health levy which was recently established by the Revenue Legislation Amendment Act 2022.
As noted above, the Bill amends the:
- Betting Tax Act 2018
- Payroll Tax Act 1971
- Racing Act 2002
- Racing Regulation 2013
Useful resources:
The Bill was referred to the Education, Employment and Training Committee for inquiry. Closing date for written submissions is 10am on Friday 21 October 2022.
Coal Mining Safety and Health and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022
On 12 October 2022, the Minister for Resources, Scott Stewart, introduced the Coal Mining Safety and Health and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022.
The principal objectives of the Bill relate to two Queensland Government priorities:
- Safety and health – to provide for exceptions to direct employment requirements for certain coal mining statutory positions, to address challenges implementing these requirements relating to corporate and operational structures, unplanned short-term absences, economic viability for low-risk operations (exploration activities) and situations where a contractor is substantially responsible for the mine operation
- Resources – to enable implementation of a key action in the draft Queensland Resources Industry Development Plan, as well as several housekeeping amendments to a number of Acts in the Resources portfolio to address operational issues and correct clerical errors.
The Bill also proposes the following amendments to the resources Acts:
- Amend the Mineral Resources Act 1989 (MRA) to implement a framework to defer rent for specific critical minerals mining leases.
- Amend the compliance provisions to remove the requirement for resource authority holder agreement to a monetary penalty for non-compliance under the Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004, the Geothermal Energy Act 2010 (GE Act), and the Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2009 (GHG Act).
- Minor amendments to reflect the consequential renumbering of provisions in the GE Act and the GHG Act and to correct a provision heading and an error in the Mineral and Energy Resources (Common Provisions) Act 2014.
The Bill amends the:
- Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999
- Geothermal Energy Act 2010
- Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2009
- Mineral and Energy Resources (Common Provisions) Act 2014
- Mineral Resources Act 1989
- Mineral Resources Regulation 2013
- Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004
Useful resources:
The Bill was referred to the Transport and Resources Committee for inquiry. Closing date for written submissions is 3pm on Friday, 21 October 2022.
Domestic and Family Violence Protection (Combating Coercive Control) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022
On 14 October 2022, the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Minister for Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Shannon Fentiman, introduced the Domestic and Family Violence Protection (Combating Coercive Control) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022.
The objectives of the Bill are to:
- Give effect to legislative reform in recommendations 52 to 60 and 63 to 66 of the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce in Chapter 3.8 of its first report, ‘Hear her voice – Report one – Addressing coercive control and domestic and family violence in Queensland’.
- Modernise and update sexual offence terminology in the Criminal Code in response to advocacy that the language appropriately reflects criminal conduct.
- Address stakeholder concerns regarding the operation of the sexual assault counselling privilege framework in relation to the standing of counsellors and victims and alleged victims of sexual assault offences.
- Amend the Youth Justice Act 1992 to provide specific mitigatory circumstances relating to domestic violence.
- Amend the Coroners Act 2003 to remove the limitation upon the number of terms of re-appointment of the State Coroner and the Deputy State Coroner.
- Amend the Oaths Act 1867 to address issues that have arisen in the implementation of the Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2021 in relation to affidavits and statutory declarations.
- Amend the Telecommunications Interception Act 2009 to enable the Public Interest Monitor to perform the role intended under the International Production Order scheme in relation to applications for interception IPOs.
As noted above, the Bill amends the:
- Coroners Act 2003
- Criminal Code
- Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012
- Evidence Act 1977
- Oaths Act 1867
- Penalties and Sentences Act 1992
- Telecommunications Interception Act 2009
- Youth Justice Act 1992
Useful resources:
The Bill was referred to the Legal Affairs and Safety Committee for inquiry. Details of the inquiry process, including closing date for submissions, will be published on the committee’s website.
Environmental Protection and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022
On 12 October 2022, the Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science, Meaghan Scanlon, introduced the Environmental Protection and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022.
The primary policy objective of the Bill is to improve administrative efficiency and ensure the regulatory frameworks within the Environment portfolio remain contemporary, effective and responsive. Specifically, the Bill amends the:
- Environmental Protection Act 1994 to support industry, streamline and clarify regulatory processes, better protect the environment and improve community input and transparency, including to:
- resolve implementation issues with the estimated rehabilitation cost (ERC) and progressive rehabilitation and closure planning (PRCP) frameworks
- refine requirements related to contaminated land, including contaminated land auditors
- modernise and improve the efficiency of environmental authority provisions
- improve the environmental impact statement (EIS) process
- improve compliance and enforcement powers to enable the more effective protection of the environment
- insert measures to assist Queensland businesses and individuals to meet environmental requirements in an emergency situation
- insert provisions to support the implementation of a national approach for managing the environmental risks posed by industrial chemicals under the Commonwealth Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management (Register) Act 2021
- enhance executive officer liability provisions.
- Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011 to make minor, technical refinements related to administrative processes and interpretation
- Wet Tropics World Heritage Protection and Management Act 1993 and Land Title Act 1994 in response to a review of the Wet Tropics Management Plan 1998. The changes better protect the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area, improve user understanding, and align with other legislation and contemporise drafting.
As noted above, the Bill amends the:
- Environmental Protection Act 1994
- Environmental Protection Regulation 2019
- Land Title Act 1994
- Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2001
- Wet Tropics World Heritage Protection and Management Act 1993
Useful resources:
The Bill was referred to the Health and Environment Committee for inquiry. Closing date for written submissions is 9am on Wednesday 26 October 2022.
Integrity and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022
On 14 October 2022, the Premier and Minister for the Olympics, Annastacia Palaszczuk, introduced the Integrity and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022.
The objectives of the Bill are to better promote the independence and authority of the Queensland Auditor-General, the Queensland Ombudsman and the Queensland Integrity Commissioner, by implementing some of the recommendations from the ‘Strategic Review of the Integrity Commissioner’s Functions’ and the ‘Let the Sunshine In: Review of culture and accountability in the Queensland public sector’.
The Bill amends the:
- Auditor-General Act 2009
- Integrity Act 2009
- Ombudsman Act 2001
- Public Sector Act 2022
- Superannuation (State Public Sector) Act 1990
Useful resources:
The Bill was referred to the Economics and Governance Committee for inquiry. Closing date for written submissions is 10am on Friday 28 October 2022.
Liquid Fuel Supply (Minimum Biobased Petrol Content) Amendment Bill 2022
On 13 October 2022, Nicholas Dametto introduced the Liquid Fuel Supply (Minimum Biobased Petrol Content) Amendment Bill 2022 (a private member’s Bill).
The objectives of the Bill are to expand on the provisions enacted by the Liquid Fuel Supply (Ethanol and Other Biofuels Mandate) Amendment Bill 2015, by further amending the Liquid Fuel Supply Act 1984 for the following purposes:
- To increase two-fold all penalties for non-compliance by liable fuel retailers liable with the state’s bio-based petrol mandate, which presently sits at 4% of the total volume of all petrol sold
- To require that fuel retailers take reasonable action (on a continuing basis) to ensure that the bio-based petrol blended fuels (referred commonly to as E10) they sell contains a minimum of 9% ethanol and is advertised as such.
The Bill seeks to address issues that exist with the operation of Queensland’s bio-based petrol mandate which, despite being in operation since 2017, has failed to adequately deliver on its aspirations to drive the uptake of cleaner and cheaper locally produced fuel.
The Bill amends the:
- Liquid Field Supply Act 1984
Useful resources:
The Bill was referred to the Transport and Resources Committee for inquiry. Details of the inquiry process, including submissions, will be published on the committee’s website.
Public Sector Bill 2022
On 14 October 2022, the Premier and Minister for the Olympics, Annastacia Palaszczuk, introduced the Public Sector Bill 2022.
The policy objective of the Bill is to implement stage two public sector legislative reforms arising from the recommendations of an independent review of public sector employment laws by Peter Bridgman, titled ‘A Fair and Responsive Public Service for All’.
The Bill builds upon stage one reforms and implements stage two legislative reforms. In particular, the Bill gives effect to the Bridgman Review’s primary recommendation to provide all public sector employees with a modern, simplified and employee-focused legislative framework that can further the Government’s commitment to being fair, responsive and a leader in public administration.
The Bill amends the:
- Ambulance Service Act 1991
- Crime and Corruption Act 2001
- Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990
- Legal Aid Queensland Act 1997
- Ombudsman Act 2001
- Supreme Court Library Act 1968
- TAFE Queensland Act 2013
- and the Acts mentioned in schedule 3 of the Bill
The Bill repeals the:
- Public Service Act 2008
Useful resources:
The Bill was referred to the State Development and Regional Industries Committee for inquiry. Details of the inquiry process, including submissions, will be published on the committee’s website.
Water Legislation Amendment Bill 2022
On 12 October 2022, the Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing and Minister for Water, Glenn Butcher, introduced the Water Legislation Amendment Bill 2022.
The primary objective of the Bill is to amend the Water Act 2000 to establish a regulatory framework for implementing Queensland’s strengthened policy for measuring the take of non-urban water.
The Bill also includes amendments to the Water Act 2000, the Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008, and the South-East Queensland Water (Distribution and Retail Restructuring Act) 2009 to improve the operational efficiency of these Acts.
The Bill also amends the Water Act 2000 to make minor operational and technical amendments to the framework for managing underground water, which is administered by the Department of Environment and Science.
As noted above, the Bill amends the:
- South-East Queensland Water (Distribution and Retail Restructuring) Act 2009
- Water Act 2000
- Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008
- Water Plan (Border Rivers and Moonie) 2019
- Water Plan (Condamine and Balonne) 2019
- Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008
- State Penalties Enforcement Regulation 2014
Useful resources:
The Bill was referred to the State Development and Regional Industries Committee for inquiry. Closing date for written submissions is 1pm on Thursday 10 November 2022.
Legislation passed this Parliament
The following legislation was passed by the Legislative Assembly:
- Casino Control and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022
- Health Practitioner Regulation National Law and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022
- Nature Conservation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022
Casino Control and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022
On 26 May 2022, the Minister for Education, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Racing, Grace Grace, introduced the Casino Control and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022.
The Bill was referred to the Legal Affairs and Safety Committee for detailed consideration.
The Bill passed with amendment on 14 October 2022.
The Bill implements a range of reforms relevant to the regulation of liquor, gaming and fair trading in Queensland.
The policy objectives of the Bill are to:
- Ensure casino integrity and modernise gambling legislation
- Introduce a framework for wagering on simulated events
- Extend New Year’s Eve gaming hours, and
- Introduce a cross-border recognition scheme for charitable fundraising, under which charities registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission will be eligible to receive a fundraising authorisation from a participating jurisdiction simply by notifying the state regulator that such an authorisation is required.
Queensland Law Society supported the introduction of the cross-border recognition scheme for charitable fundraising in its submission on the Bill and its appearance at the parliamentary public hearing.
Amendments were moved during consideration in detail to respond to the finding of an independent external review led by the Honourable Robert Gotterson AO KC.
The amendments are to:
- increase and extend the disciplinary actions available to be imposed against a casino entity; ensure the State is not fettered in its ability to regulate casinos by having to pay compensation for taking regulatory action, and
- make other amendments related to taking disciplinary action against a casino entity.
The Bill amends the:
- Casino Control Act 1982
- Casino Control Regulation 1999
- Charitable and Non-Profit Gaming Act 1999
- Collections Act 1966
- Gaming Machine Act 1991
- Interactive Gambling (Player Protection) Act 1998
- Keno Act 1996
- Lotteries Act 1997
- Wagering Act 1998
- Wagering Regulation 1999
Useful resources:
- QLS submission
- Parliamentary report
- Government response
- Bill
- Explanatory Note
- Statement of Compatibility
- Explanatory Speech
- Committee
- Amendment in Committee – Government agreed
- Amendment in Committee – Explanatory note
- Amendment in Committee – Statement of compatibility
Health Practitioner Regulation National Law and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022
On 11 May 2022, the Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, Yvette D’Ath, introduced the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022.
The Bill was referred to the Health and Environment Committee for detailed consideration.
The Bill passed with amendment on 13 October 2022.
The Bill implements a range of reforms to update and improve the regulation of Australia’s health professions by:
- Strengthening public safety and confidence in the provision of health services
- Improving the governance of the National Scheme
- Enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the scheme
The Bill amends the:
- Health Ombudsman Act 2013
- Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act 2009
Amendments were moved during consideration in detail to withdraw the amendments in the Bill relating to the use of testimonials in advertising for cosmetic surgery. The issue of patient testimonials will instead be reviewed as part of the wider measures to improve safety in the cosmetic sector as part of the agreement of federal, state and territory Health Ministers on 2 September 2022 to progress legislative and non-legislative reforms to improve consumer protections relating to cosmetic surgery.
Useful resources:
- QLS submission
- Parliamentary report and erratum to report
- Bill
- Explanatory Note
- Statement of Compatibility
- Explanatory Speech
- Committee
- Amendment in Committee – Government agreed
- Amendment in Committee – Explanatory note
- Amendment in Committee – Statement of compatibility
Nature Conservation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022
On 24 February 2022, the Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science, Meaghan Scanlon, introduced the Nature Conservation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022.
The Bill was referred to the State Development and Regional Industries Committee for detailed consideration.
The Bill passed without amendment on 12 October 2022.
The objectives of the Bill are to:
- Provide a 20-year extension to allow beekeeping on specified national parks to continue until 31 December 2044
- Enhance the Department of Environment and Science’s capacity to respond to misconduct on Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service managed areas
- Relocate powers of officers to seize and deal with things that are seized, administrative provisions relating to approved forms, and internal and external reviews of decisions from subordinate legislation into the Nature Conservation Act 1992 to reflect current drafting practices
- Make amendments to the Wet Tropics World Heritage Protection and Management Act 1993 to reflect National Cabinet changes to intergovernmental arrangements between the State and the Commonwealth following a review of the former Council of Australian Governments’ Councils and Ministerial Forums
- Simplify the process for consequential amendments to the Wet Tropics Management Plan 1998
- Correct minor errors in the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and the Tropics World Heritage Protection and Management Act 1993.
The Bill amends the:
- Forestry Act 1959
- Marine Parks Act 2004
- Nature Conservation Act 1992
- Nature Conservation (Animals) Regulation 2020
- Nature Conservation (Plants) Regulation 2020
- Nature Conservation (Protected Areas Management) Regulation 2017
- Recreation Areas Management Act 2006
- State Penalties Enforcement Regulation 2014
- Wet Tropics World Heritage Protection and Management Act 1993
Useful resources:
Second reading
The second reading for a number of Bills were progressed or revisited during this sitting week, including:
- Food (Labelling of Seafood) Amendment Bill 2021
- Major Sports Facilities Amendment Bill 2022
- Racing Integrity Amendment Bill 2022
Food (Labelling of Seafood) Amendment Bill 2021
On 12 October 2022, the second reading for the Food (Labelling of Seafood) Amendment Bill 2021 was adjourned.
Useful resources:
Major Sports Facilities Amendment Bill 2022
On 7 October 2022, the second reading for the Major Sports Facilities Amendment Bill 2022 was moved.
Useful resources:
Racing Integrity Amendment Bill 2022
On 14 October 2022, the second reading for the Racing Integrity Amendment Bill 2022 was adjourned.
Useful resources:
- QLS submission
- Parliamentary report
- Government response
- Bill
- Explanatory Note
- Statement of Compatibility
- Explanatory Speech
- Committee
Subordinate legislation
Subordinate Queensland Legislation notified in 2022 is available online.
Subordinate Legislation notified on the Queensland Legislation website from 3 September 2022 to 14 October 2022:
- SL No.121 of 2022: Planning (Economic Support Instruments) Amendment Regulation 2022
- SL No.122 of 2022: Transport and Other Legislation Amendment Regulation (No.3) 2022
- SL No.123 of 2022: Major Events (Motor Racing Events) (Gold Coast 500) Amendment Regulation 2022
- SL No.124 of 2022: Land Title Regulation 2022
- SL No.125 of 2022: Environmental Protection (Water and Wetland Biodiversity) Amendment Policy 2022
- SL No.126 of 2022: Nature Conservation (Protected Areas) Amendment Regulation 2022
- SL No.127 of 2022: Public Health (Further Extension of Declared Public Health Emergency—COVID-19) Regulation (No.3) 2022
- SL No.128 of 2022: Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Amendment Regulation 2022
- SL No.129 of 2022: Medicines and Poisons (Medicines) Amendment Regulation (No.2) 2022
- SL No.130 of 2022: Gaming Legislation Amendment Regulation (No.2) 2022
- SL No.131 of 2022: Oaths (Document Reforms) Amendment Regulation 2022
- SL No.132 of 2022: Public Trustee (Interest Rate) Amendment Regulation 2022
- SL No.133 of 2022: Planning (Secondary Dwellings) Amendment Regulation 2022
- SL No.134 of 2022: Government Owned Corporations (Pumped Hydro Energy Storage Restructure) Regulation 2022
- SL No.135 of 2022: Education Legislation Amendment Regulation 2022
- SL No.136 of 2022: Gold Coast Waterways Authority Regulation 2022
- SL No.137 of 2022: Rural and Regional Adjustment and Other Legislation (Brisbane River Tourism Berthing Assistance Scheme and Other Matters) Amendment Regulation 2022
- SL No.138 of 2022: Rural and Regional Adjustment (Natural Disaster-related Assistance Schemes) Amendment Regulation 2022
- SL No.139 of 2022: Petroleum and Gas (Safety) Amendment Regulation 2022
- SL No.140 of 2022: Fisheries (Spanish Mackerel) Amendment Declaration 2022
- SL No.141 of 2022: Work Health and Safety (Psychosocial Risks) Amendment Regulation 2022
- SL No.142 of 2022: Transport Operations (Road Use Management—Road Rules) and Other Legislation Amendment Regulation 2022
- SL No.143 of 2022: Major Events (T20 World Cup) Regulation 2022
Queensland Government Gazette
The Queensland Government Gazettes for 2022 are available online.
Parliamentary sitting dates
As indicated on the parliamentary website, the Queensland Parliament is currently scheduled to next sit on 25 to 28 October 2022.
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