Queensland Parliament sat from 10 October to 12 October 2023.
Bills Introduced
The following Bills were introduced into the Legislative Assembly:
Government Bills
- Information Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023
- Public Records Bill 2023
- Transport and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023
- Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2023
- Criminal Law (Coercive Control and Affirmative Consent) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023
- Education (General Provisions) (Helping Families with School Costs) Amendment Bill 2023
- Victims of Crime Assistance and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023
Private Member Bills
- Crime and Corruption Amendment Bill 2023
- Housing Availability and Affordability (Planning and Other Legislation Amendment) Bill 202
Information Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023
On 12 October 2023, the Honourable Leanne Enoch MP, Minister for Treaty, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Minister for Communities and Minister for the Arts introduced the Information Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 into Queensland Parliament.
The policy objectives of the Bill are to:
- make key changes to Queensland’s information privacy framework to better protect personal information and provide appropriate responses and remedies for data breaches and misuse of personal information by agencies; and
- make changes to Queensland’s information privacy and right to information frameworks to clarify and improve their operation; and
- make legislative amendments to support the operation of the administrative scheme which will provide for the proactive release of Cabinet documents (the proactive release scheme).
The Bill implements or responds to recommendations for legislative change to Queensland’s information privacy and right to information frameworks from several reports including:
- the report on the Review of the Right to Information Act 2009 and Information Privacy Act 2009
- the Crime and Corruption Commission’s (CCC) report, Operation Impala, A report on misuse of confidential information in the Queensland public sector
- the CCC’s report, Culture and Corruption Risks in Local Government: Lessons from an investigation into Ipswich City Council
- the Strategic Review of the Office of the Information Commissioner
- Let the sunshine in: Review of culture and accountability in the Queensland public sector
The Bill amends the:
- Auditor-General Act 2009
- Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Arrangements Act 2021
- City of Brisbane Act 2010
- Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999
- Corrective Services Act 2006
- Criminal Code
- Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012
- Energy and Water Ombudsman Act 2006
- Explosives Act 1999
- Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011
- Information Privacy Act 2009
- Information Privacy Regulation 2009
- Introduction Agents Act 2001
- Legal Profession Act 2007
- Local Government Act 2009
- Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Act 1999
- Ombudsman Act 2001
- Partnership Act 1891
- Path to Treaty Act 2023
- Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000
- Public Guardian Act 2014
- Public Health Act 2005
- Public Sector Act 2022
- Queensland Future Fund (Titles Registry) Act 2021
- Right to Information Act 2009
- Right to Information Regulation 2009
- Tourism Services Act 2003.
Useful resources:
The Bill was referred to the Education, Employment and Training Committee for inquiry. A timeline for the inquiry will be available on the committee website once it has been agreed by the committee. For further details regarding the inquiry process, visit the committee’s website.
Public Records Bill 2023
On 12 October 2023, the Honourable Leanne Enoch MP, Minister for Treaty, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Minister for Communities and Minister for the Arts introduced the Public Records Bill 2023 into Queensland Parliament.
In May 2022, the Queensland Government announced an independent review of the Public Records Act 2002. On 31 August 2022, Justice Byrne AO RFD provided the Report of review of the Public Records Act 2002 to the Queensland Government.
In alignment with the recommendations of the report, the policy objectives of the proposed reforms are to:
- provide a framework for making, managing and allowing access to public records in a way that benefits present and future generations
- minimise public authorities’ ambiguity regarding the meaning of a public record under the Public Records Act 2002 (the Act)
- minimise the chance for relevant public records to be inappropriately managed
- recognise the importance of public records for Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- ensure mechanisms are in place that promote continued and efficient involvement and consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- reduce the risk of permanent loss of public records
- ensure the risks of unlawful disposal, alteration and deletion of public records are balanced with costs in managing such risks
- reduce confusion with regards to terminology, application, and best practices under the Act
- enable efficient monitoring of public authority records management performance, and
- provide a mechanism for increased access to public records.
The Bill also makes additional changes to the Act including:
- enabling the State Archivist to temporarily suspend disposal authorisations for public records in an efficient manner
- protecting public records that are required to be kept permanently and protecting records over 25 years old
- including or excluding an entity from being a public authority using a regulation expanding the circumstances in which a regulation may prescribe when the State Archivist can refuse access to public records in the custody of the archives (e.g., when it is not in the public interest or when access would inappropriately reveal culturally sensitive information or personal information).
The Bill repeals the:
- Public Records Act 2002
Rather than amending the Act, a new Bill has been developed to provide greater flexibility for drafting the changes, and improving the overall outcomes for modernisation, clarity and consistency.
Useful resources:
The Bill was referred to the Community Support and Services Committee for inquiry. A timeline for the inquiry will be available on the committee website once it has been agreed by the committee. For further details regarding the inquiry process, visit the committee website.
Transport and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023
On 12 October 2023, the Honourable Mark Bailey MP, Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Minister for Digital Services, introduced the Transport and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 into Queensland Parliament.
The explanatory notes provide that the objectives of the Bill are to:
- facilitate the transition of certain regulatory services from the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator; and
- improve road safety, streamline and improve administrative and legislative processes and clarify existing requirements.
The Bill amends the:
- Cross River Rail Delivery Authority Act 2016
- Heavy Vehicle National Law Act 2012
- Maritime Safety Queensland Act 2002
- Motor Dealers and Chattel Auctioneers Act 2014
- Sustainable Ports Development Act 2015
- Transport Infrastructure Act 1994
- Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Act 1994
- Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995
- Transport Operations (Road Use Management – Road Rules) Regulation 2009
- Transport Operations (Road Use Management – Vehicle Registration) Regulation 2021
- Transport Planning and Coordination Act 1994
- Transport Planning and Coordination Regulation 2017
- Rural and Regional Adjustment Regulation 2011
Useful resources:
The Bill was referred to the Transport and Resources Committee for inquiry. Submissions to the inquiry will close on 1 November 2023 at 12pm and a public hearing has been scheduled for 9 November 2023. For further details regarding the inquiry process, visit the committee website.
Appropriation Bill (No 2) 2023
On 10 October 2023, the Honourable Cameron Dick MP, Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment, introduced the Appropriation Bill (No 2) 2023 into the Queensland Parliament.
The purpose of the Bill is to authorise a supplementary appropriation for unforeseen expenditure above and beyond the amount appropriated to government departments from the Consolidated Fund for 2022-23. The supplementary appropriation of $1.244 billion relates to expenditure incurred by 10 departments and agencies (as set out in Schedule 1 of the Bill).
Useful resources:
The Bill was referred to the Economics and Governance Committee for inquiry. Submissions to the inquiry will close on 25 October 2023. For more details on the inquiry process, visit the committee website.
Criminal Law (Coercive Control and Affirmative Consent) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023
On 11 October 2023, the Honourable Shannon Fentiman MP, Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services and Minister for Women, introduced the Criminal Law (Coercive Control and Affirmative Consent) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 into the Queensland Parliament.
The objectives of the Bill are to:
- implement the Government’s response to the second tranche of reforms recommended by the Taskforce, in Chapter 3.9 of the Taskforce’s first report, Hear her voice – Report One – Addressing coercive control and domestic and family violence in Queensland (Report One) (Recommendations 74-79), building on the groundwork established by the Domestic and Family Violence Protection (Combating Coercive Control) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2023, including by introducing a new offence to criminalise coercive control;
- give effect to the Government’s response to a range of recommendations from the Taskforce’s second report, Hear her voice – Report Two – Women and girls’ experiences across the criminal justice system (Report Two), relating to domestic and family violence (DFV), sexual violence, publication restrictions and women and girls as accused persons and offenders (Recommendations 7, 43-44, 56, 58-59, 76-77, 80-82, 86, 110 and 126), including amendments to create an affirmative model of consent in Queensland;
- progress further amendments to abolish or reform particular jury directions (re-examining Recommendations 65 and 66 of the Criminal Justice report of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Assault (Royal Commission) in light of Report Two);
- implement the Government’s response to two related DFV recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry into Queensland Police Service Responses to Domestic and Family Violence Report, A Call for Change (Recommendations 20 and 50); and
- amend the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 (DFVP Act) to allow a court to make an order to extend a police protection notice (PPN) in exceptional circumstances.
The Bill amends the:
- Bail Act 1980
- Criminal Code
- Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012
- Domestic and Family Violence Protection Regulation 2023
- Evidence Act 1977
- Evidence Regulation 2017
- Justices Act 1886
- Penalties and Sentences Act 1992
- Recording of Evidence Regulation 2018
- Security Providers Act 1993
- Youth Justice Act 1992
- Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000
- Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000
The Bill repeals the:
- Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1978
Useful resources:
The Bill was referred to the Legal Affairs and Safety Committee for inquiry. Submissions to the inquiry will close on 27 October 2023 at 11am and a public hearing is scheduled to be held on 9 November 2023. For more details on the inquiry process, visit the committee website.
Housing Availability and Affordability (Planning and Other Legislation Amendment) Bill 2023
On 11 October 2023, the Honourable Dr Steven Miles MP, Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympic and Paralympic Games Infrastructure, introduced the Housing Availability and Affordability (Planning and Other Legislation Amendment) Bill 2023 into the Queensland Parliament.
The objective of the Bill is to amend the Planning Act 2016 (Planning Act) to optimise the planning framework’s response to current housing challenges through a suite of new tools, and to improve the operational and process aspects of the Planning Act, and to the Economic Development Act 2012, the Integrated Resort Development Act 1987, and the Sanctuary Cove Resort Act 1985 to ensure operational efficiencies in the Planning Act also apply to other planning legislation and to the Planning and Environment Court Act 2016 to clarify provisions.
The Bill amends the:
- Acquisition of Land Act 1967
- Economic Development Act 2012
- Environmental Offsets Act 2014
- Planning Act 2016
- Planning and Environment Court Act 2016
- Planning Regulation 2017
- Integrated Resort Development Act 1987
- Sanctuary Cove Resort Act 1985
Useful Resources:
The Bill was referred to the Transport and Resources Committee for inquiry. A timeline for the inquiry will be available on the committee website as soon as it has been agreed by the committee. For more details on the inquiry process, visit the committee website.
Victims of Crime Assistance and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023
On 10 October 2023, the Honourable Mark Ryan MP, Minister for Police and Corrective Services and Minister for Fire and Emergency Services, introduced the Victims of Crime Assistance and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 into the Queensland Parliament.
According to the explanatory notes, the policy objectives of the Bill are to:
- Increase the maximum amounts of financial assistance payable to victims of acts of violence under the Victims of Crimes Assistance Act 2009.
- Make changes to the composition of the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council’s membership to increase representation of victims of crime by increasing the membership to no more than 14 members and enable the appointment of a person with lived experience as a victim of crime and an additional further member.
The Bill amends:
- Penalties and Sentences Act 1992
- Victims of Crime Assistance Act 2009
Useful resources:
The Bill was referred to the Community Support and Services Committee for inquiry. A timeline for the inquiry will be available on the committee website as soon as it has been agreed by the committee. For more details on the inquiry process, visit the committee website.
Crime and Corruption Amendment Bill 2023
On 11 October 2023, Mr Tim Nicholls MP, Member for Clayfield, introduced the Crime and Corruption Amendment Bill 2023 into the Queensland Parliament.
The purpose of the Bill is to remedy the deficiency in the reporting powers of the Crime and Corruption Act 2001 (CCC Act) found by the High Court in Crime and Corruption Commission v Carne [2023] HCA 28.
The Bill will also reverse a 2018 amendment that omitted the Director of Prosecutions from s.49 of the CCC Act (s12 Crime and Corruption and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2018). The reversal of the 2018 amendment was recommended by both the PCCC (Parliamentary Crime and Corruption Committee Report No. 108, 57th Parliament, Inquiry into the Crime and Corruption Commission’s investigation of former councillors of Logan City Council; and related matters, December 2021) and the Commission of Inquiry relating to the Crime and Corruption Commission.
The Bill amends the:
- Crime and Corruption Act 2001
Useful resources:
The Bill was referred to the Legal Affairs and Safety Committee for inquiry. A timeline for the inquiry will be available on the committee website once it has been agreed by the committee. For further details regarding the inquiry process, visit the committee website.
Education (General Provisions) (Helping Families with School Costs) Amendment Bill 2023
On 11 October 2023, Dr Amy MacMahon MP, Member for South Brisbane, introduced the Education (General Provisions) (Helping Families with School Costs) Amendment Bill 2023 into the Queensland Parliament.
The main objective of the Bill is to reduce the out-of-pocket expenses incurred by families whose children attend state schools by ensuring that Queensland’s state schools are fully funded. In particular, the Bill aims to reduce the out-of-pocket expenses associated with:
- extracurricular activities, such as sporting programs, musical programs and school camps
- individuals student resources, including textbooks, laptops and tablets
- school uniforms.
Another objective of the Bill is to require the chief executive of the Department of Education to report information on enrolments and costs for each state school to the relevant Minister on an annual basis.
The Bill proposes achieving these objectives indirectly. It would do this by amending the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 to compel the relevant Minister to introduce an additional legislation to implement the changes necessary to achieve this Bill’s goals.
The Bill amends the:
- Education (General Provisions) Act 2006
Useful resources:
The Bill was referred to the Education, Employment and Training Committee for inquiry. A timeline for the inquiry will be available on the committee website as soon as it has been agreed by the committee. For more details on the inquiry process, visit the committee website.
Legislation passed this Parliament
The following legislation was passed by the Legislative Assembly:
- Criminal Code (Serious Vilification and Hate Crimes) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023
- Gas Supply and Other Legislation (Hydrogen Industry Development) Amendment Bill 2023
Criminal Code (Serious Vilification and Hate Crimes) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023
On 29 March 2023, the Honourable Shannon Fentiman MP, in her former ministerial role as Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Minister for Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, introduced the Criminal Code (Serious Vilification and Hate Crimes) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023.
The Bill was referred to the Legal Affairs and Safety Committee for inquiry.
The Bill was passed with amendment on 12 October 2023.
On 31 January 2022, the Legal Affairs and Safety Committee (LASC) tabled its report, ‘Inquiry into serious vilification and hate crimes’ (No.22, 57th Parliament) (the LASC Report).
The objective of the Bill is to give effect to recommendations 7, 8, 9 and 16 of the LASC Report. These recommendations are that the Queensland Government:
- Investigate the viability of removing the requirement for written consent of a Crown law officer before commencing a prosecution for serious racial, religious, sexuality or gender identity vilification under section 131A of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (AD Act).
- Introduce a statutory aggravation regarding hate/serious vilification into the Criminal Code Act 1899 and Summary Offences Act 2005 to apply to criminal conduct.
- Relocate section 131A (Offence of serious racial, religious, sexuality or gender identity vilification) from the AD Act into the Criminal Code.
- Establish a criminal offence that prohibits the display of hate symbols, including those relating to Nazi and ISIS ideology, with considered exceptions.
Amendments were moved during consideration in detail to achieve its policy objectives by amending the Ombudsman Act 2001 (Ombudsman Act) to declare that anything done by the Inspector under the Ombudsman Act, the Inspector of Detention Services Act 2022 or another law during the relevant period in the performance of the duties of the office has the same effect, and is taken to have always had the same effect, as it would have had if the Inspector had made the oath required under section 63(1) of the Ombudsman Act before performing the duties.
The Bill amends the:
- Anti-Discrimination Act 1991
- Criminal Code Act 1899
- Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000
- Summary Offences Act 2005
Queensland Law Society provided a submission on the Bill.
Useful resources:
- Bill
- Explanatory Note
- Explanatory Speech
- Statement of Compatibility
- Committee
- Amendment in Consideration – Government Agreed
- Amendment in Consideration – Explanatory Note
- Amendment in Consideration – Statement of Compatibility
- Parliamentary report
Gas Supply and Other Legislation (Hydrogen Industry Development) Amendment Bill 2023
On 9 May 2023, the Honourable Michael de Brenni MP, Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen and Minister for Public Works and Procurement, introduced the Gas Supply and Other Legislation (Hydrogen Industry Development) Amendment Bill 2023.
The Bill was referred to the Transport and Resources Committee for inquiry.
The Bill was passed without amendment on 10 October 2023.
The Gas Supply and Other Legislation (Hydrogen Industry Development) Amendment Bill 2023 aims to provide a clear regulatory assessment pathway to authorise the construction and operation of pipelines for hydrogen and hydrogen carriers in Queensland. Hydrogen carriers could include ammonia, methanol, methyl-cyclohexane (MCH), dimethyl-ether and toluene in pipelines.
To achieve its objectives, the Bill proposes to amend:
- The Gas Supply Act 2003 to expand its jurisdiction to hydrogen blends, biomethane and other gases, and
- The Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004 to provide a clear and effective regulatory pathway for a proponent to apply for a pipeline license for the transmission of hydrogen and hydrogen carriers.
Queensland Law Society provided a submission on the Bill.
Useful resources:
Second Reading
- Liquid Fuel Supply (Minimum Biobased Petrol Content) Amendment Bill 2022
Subordinate Legislation
Subordinate Queensland Legislation notified in 2023 is available online.
Subordinate legislation notified on the Queensland Legislation website from 16 September to 13 October 2023:
- SL No. 135 of 2023: Economic Development and Other Legislation Amendment Regulation 2023
- SL No. 136 of 2023: Building (Queensland Development Code) Amendment Regulation 2023
- SL No. 137 of 2023: Education Legislation (Fees) Amendment Regulation 2023
- SL No. 138 of 2023: Proclamation – Police Powers and Responsibilities and Other Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 2023 (commencing remaining provisions)
- SL No. 139 of 2023: Liquor (Mornington) Amendment Regulation 2023
- SL No. 140 of 2023: Proclamation No. 1 – Environmental Protection and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2023 (commencing certain provisions)
- SL No. 141 of 2023: Proclamation No. 1 – Nature Conservation and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2022 (commencing certain provisions)
- SL No. 142 of 2023: Wet Tropics (Consequential Amendments) Amendment Management Plan 2023
- SL No. 143 of 2023:Industrial Relations and Other Legislation Amendment (Postponement) Regulation 2023
- SL No. 144 of 2023: Casino Control and Other Legislation Amendment (Postponement) Regulation 2023
Queensland Government Gazette
The Queensland Government Gazettes for 2023 are available online.
Parliamentary sitting dates
As indicated on the parliamentary website, the Queensland Parliament is currently schedule to next sit from 24 October to 26 October.
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