Queensland Parliament sat from 16 April to 18 April 2024.
Bills Introduced:
The following bills were introduced into the Legislative Assembly:
- State Financial Institutions and Metway Merger Amendment Bill 2024
- Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024
- Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Arrangements Amendment Bill 2024
- Mineral and Energy Resources and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024
- Resources Safety and Health Legislation Amendment Bill 2024
State Financial Institutions and Metway Merger Amendment Bill 2024
On Tuesday 16 April 2024, the Hon Cameron Dick, Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment introduced the State Financial Institutions and Metway Merger Amendment Bill 2024 into the Queensland Parliament.
The explanatory notes indicate the Bill’s primary objective is to ensure that certain conditions under part 6 of the State Financial Institutions and Metway Merger Act 1996 continue to apply to Suncorp Group Limited once the Suncorp banking business is removed from the application of part 6.
The Bill amends the:
- State Financial Institutions and Metway Merger Act 1996
Useful resources:
The Bill was referred to the Cost of Living and Economics Committee for inquiry. Closing date for submissions is Thursday 2 May 2024. For further details regarding the inquiry process, visit the inquiry page here.
Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024
On Wednesday 17 April 2024, the Hon Grace Grace, Minister for State Development and Infrastructure and Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Racing, introduced the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 into the Queensland Parliament.
The objective of the proposed amendments to the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 (WCR Act) is to implement legislative recommendations of the 2023 Review of the Operation of the Queensland Workers’ Compensation Scheme (2023 Review) and the Decision Impact Analysis Statement in relation to regulatory proposals to extend workers’ compensation coverage to gig workers and bailee taxi and limousine drivers (Decision IAS). Proposed amendments include, but are not limited to:
- requiring an insurer to take all reasonable steps to minimise the risk of a worker sustaining a psychiatric or psychological injury arising from a physical injury following acceptance of a claim until the worker’s entitlement to compensation ends.
- enabling the Workers’ Compensation Regulator to set mandatory standards in prescribed circumstances by making scheme directions to support the Workers’ Compensation Regulator’s enforcement functions.
- expanding existing code of practice provisions which are currently limited to insurer claims management to allow coverage of matters such as rehabilitation and return to work (RRTW) for employers or other persons with an obligation under the WCR Act (e.g. host employers).
- promoting increased scrutiny of the availability of suitable duties by requiring insurers to form their own opinion about whether it is practicable for an employer to provide suitable duties and take certain steps if it is not satisfied by the employer’s evidence about this.
- inserting a head of power to set service delivery, competency and professional standards for workplace rehabilitation providers.
- enabling workers to request a different workplace rehabilitation provider where they are dissatisfied with the initial provider selected by the insurer.
- requiring an insurer to ensure a RRTW plan is in place within 10 business days after the worker’s application for compensation is accepted and providing for that plan to be kept under review and modified as further information becomes available and developments arise.
- requiring host employers to cooperate with the labour hire provider by taking all reasonable steps to support them to meet their RRTW obligations under section 228, including by extension of the provision of suitable duties.
- including the recommended ten additional diseases taking the total number of recognised deemed diseases to 22 for firefighters.
- requiring an insurer to commence making a default payment to the worker on the expiry of five business days after allowing the worker’s application for compensation or the expiry of the relevant excess period (whichever is later), while a decision on the calculation of the rate of payment is pending.
- providing a framework for the issuing of compliance notices for contraventions of the WCR Act with an offence for not complying with a compliance notice.
- prohibiting an employer from giving a benefit or causing detriment to a person if the reason is to influence an injured worker to refrain from making an application for compensation for the injury or otherwise pursuing an entitlement to compensation.
- compelling employers to provide wage information within five business days of the insurer’s request to ensure prompt calculation of weekly compensation entitlements, with penalties for non-compliance.
- improving the governance around scheme doctors who conduct permanent impairment assessments for the scheme.
- implementing the Government’s preferred approach in the Decision IAS.
The Bill also proposes to amend the Industrial Relations Act 2016 (IR Act) to ensure Queensland’s industrial relations jurisdiction remains contemporaneous and aligned with recent industrial relations reforms implemented in the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FW Act) by:
- ensuring employers have an obligation to make superannuation contributions to their employees under the Queensland Employment Standards
- increasing the number of unpaid flexible parental leave days from 30 to 100 and providing additional flexibility for when parents can take this leave, such as late term pregnancy leave
- increasing the claim threshold for unpaid wages claims from $50,000 to reflect the new $100,000 threshold for small claims under the FW Act.
The Bill also proposes to amend the Labour Hire Licensing Act 2017 to ensure compatibility with human rights and to promote contemporary operational practices.
The Bill amends the:
- Industrial Relations Act 2016
- Labour Hire Licensing Act 2017
- Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003
- Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Regulation 2014
Useful resources:
The Bill was referred to the Education, Employment, Training and Skills Committee for inquiry. The closing date for written submissions is 10am on Monday, 13 May 2024. For further details regarding the inquiry process, visit the inquiry page here.
Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Arrangements Amendment Bill 2024
On Wednesday 17 April 2024, the Hon Grace Grace, Minister for State Development and Infrastructure, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Racing, introduced the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Arrangements Amendment Bill 2024.
Brisbane was elected as host of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games (games) by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in July 2021.
The Bill amends the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Arrangements Act 2021 (Act) to establish the Games Venue and Legacy Delivery Authority (authority) and its board.
It is proposed that the main functions of the authority will be to:
- deliver venues in time for the games and within budget allocations, including managing effects on users of the venues during their development
- monitor and ensure the delivery of villages in time for the games
- coordinate and integrate the planning and delivery of State, Commonwealth and local government obligations under, or related to, the host contract.
It is proposed the authority have a board of directors (board) to ensure the authority performs its functions in a proper, effective and efficient way. The board will have the capacity to establish committees (which can exercise delegated authority) and commissions (of an advisory nature). The authority may employ a chief executive officer and other staff. Other government agencies may also agree to make the services of officers or employees available to the authority.
The Bill amends the:
- Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Arrangements Act 2021
Useful resources:
The Bill was referred to the Housing, Big Build and Manufacturing Committee for inquiry. Submissions to the inquiry will close at 9am on Wednesday 1 May 2024 and a public hearing is scheduled to take place on 8 May 2024. For further details regarding the inquiry process, visit the committee’s website here.
Mineral and Energy Resources and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024
On Thursday 18 April 2024, the Hon Scott Stewart, Minister for Resources and Critical Minerals introduced the Mineral and Energy Resources and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 into the Queensland Parliament.
The explanatory notes indicate that the primary objectives of the Bill are to:
- Enhance the State’s coexistence framework
- Provide a framework for managing the impacts of coal seam gas induced subsidence
- Improve regulatory efficiency by promoting a modern, efficient and streamlined regulatory framework for the resources sector in Queensland
- Modernise the Financial Provisioning Scheme.
To achieve its objectives, the Bill proposes to amend the:
- Gasfields Commission Act 2013 to refocus the legislative functions of the Gasfields Commission Queensland to provide information, engagement and education services to the community and industry on a broader range of resources activities and emerging coexistence issues in relation to the renewable energy sector.
- Land Access Ombudsman Act 2017 to broaden the legislative functions of the Land Access Ombudsman to resolve disputes relating to coal seam gas-induced subsidence, the negotiation of conduct and compensation agreements and make good agreements, and other resources related land access interactions;
- Mineral and Energy Resources (Common Provisions) Act 2014 and the Water Act 2000 to:
- Expand the functions of the Office of Groundwater Impact Assessment to provide advice and tools to assist in the assessment and management of coal seam gas-induced subsidence; and
- Impose a levy to cover the Office of Groundwater Impact Assessment’s costs in relation to the above.
- Provide and implement a framework for managing the impacts of CSG-induced subsidence; and
- Electricity Act 1994 to ensure further clarity around the operation of the acquisition powers in section 116 in respect of electricity entities acquiring land for works. The Bill includes a validation provision to clarify that even where an acquisition has provided a benefit to a third party, that acquisition is valid.
The Bill amends the:
- Electricity Act 1994
- Fossicking Act 1994
- Gasfields Commission Act 2013
- Geothermal Energy Act 2010
- Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2009
- Land Access Ombudsman Act 2017
- Mineral and Energy Resources (Common Provisions) Act 2014
- Mineral and Energy Resources (Financial Provisioning) Act 2018
- Mineral Resources Act 1989
- Petroleum Act 1923
- Petroleum and Gas (Productive and Safety) Act 2004
- Regional Planning Interests Act 2014
- Water Act 2000
Useful resources:
The Bill was referred to the Clean Energy Jobs, Resources and Transport Committee for inquiry. The closing date for written submissions is 12pm, 2 May 2024. For further details regarding the inquiry process, visit the committee’s website here.
Resources Safety and Health Legislation Amendment Bill 2024
On Thursday 18 March 2024, the Hon Scott Stewart, Minister for Resources and Critical Minerals introduced the Resources Safety and Health Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 into the Queensland Parliament.
The explanatory notes indicate the Bill contains a package of preventative and proactive reforms to:
- Facilitate the growth in high-reliability organisational behaviours within the resources sector – these amendments place emphasis on reforms that improve the implementation of critical controls by industry, increased competency requirements for critical roles, improved training, continual professional development requirements, information sharing and incident notification and reporting, and strengthening protections for workers against reprisals;
- Modernise regulatory enforcement powers – these amendments will enhance existing compliance and enforcement tools under a suite of legislation known collectively as the Resources Safety Acts, such as the directives framework, as well as introduce enforceable undertaking and further court orders;
- Provide for more contemporary legislation; and
- Enhance the operation and administration of the legislation through a range of minor operational amendments.
The Bill amends the:
- Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999
- Explosives Act 1999
- Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Act 1999
- Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004
- Resources Safety and Health Queensland Act 2020
Useful resources:
The Bill was referred to the Clean Energy Jobs, Resources and Transport Committee for inquiry. The closing date for written submissions is 12pm, 2 May 2024. For further details regarding the inquiry process, visit the committee’s website here.
Legislation passed this Parliament:
The following legislation was passed by the Legislative Assembly:
- Agriculture and Fisheries and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023
- Clean Economy Jobs Bill 2024
- Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Bill 2023
- Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024
- Housing Availability and Affordability (Planning and Other Legislation Amendment) Bill 2023
- Land and Other Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2023
Agriculture and Fisheries and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023
The Agriculture and Fisheries and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 was passed with amendment on 18 April 2024.
On 16 November 2023, the Hon Mark Furner, Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities, introduced the Agriculture and Fisheries and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023.
The Bill was referred to the State Development and Regional Industries Committee for inquiry. On 8 March 2024, the Housing, Big Build and Manufacturing Committee tabled its report, ‘Agriculture and Fisheries and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023’ (Report No. 2, 57th Parliament).
The Queensland Law Society provided submissions on the Bill, which can be found here and here.
The main objectives of the Bill are to:
- amend the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 to enhance community safety by significantly reforming control and management of dogs;
- amend the Fisheries Act 1994 (Fisheries Act) to: introduce a framework for independent onboard monitoring under the Fisheries Act as an outstanding element of the Sustainable Fisheries Strategy 2017-2027, and to meet key commitments made by the Queensland Government to support the Great Barrier Reef; enhance the efficacy of and modernise provisions relating to fisheries enforcement; and, streamline the process for amending aquaculture approvals by creating a separate approval for operational components to be processed under the Fisheries Act.
- improve the operation of the Biosecurity Act 2014 (Biosecurity Act) by implementing certain recommendations of the Biosecurity Act Review;
- implement recommendations three and five of the Farm Business Debt Mediation Act 2017 Review;
- give effect to outstanding improvements to the industrial cannabis industry only achievable through amendments to the Drugs Misuse Act 1986; and,
- ensure businesses are appropriately responsible for the conduct of their employees or representatives under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001.
Amendments were moved during consideration in detail to:
- ensure there is adequate time to advise the public of the amendments to offences under the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008, including a new effective control offence, before they commence;
- clarify references to ‘the attack’ in the new effective control offence;
- avoid unintended consequences related to transferring the primary lists of prohibited and restricted matter from the Biosecurity Act 2014 to regulation; and,
- correct a minor oversight in the definition of an ‘exclusion zone’ under the Fisheries Act 1994.
The Bill amends the:
- Agricultural Chemicals Distribution Control Act 1966
- Animal Care and Protection Act 2001
- Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008
- Biosecurity Act 2014
- Chemical Usage (Agricultural and Veterinary) Control Act 1988
- Drugs Misuse Act 1986
- Exhibited Animals Act 2015
- Farm Businesses Debt Mediation Act 2017
- Fisheries Act 1994
- Forestry Act 1959
- Forestry Regulation 2015
- Nature Conservation Act 1992
- Sugar Industry Act 1999
- Veterinary Surgeons Act 1936
- State Penalties Enforcement Regulation 2014
- Legislation mentioned in schedule 1
Useful resources:
- Parliamentary 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
Clean Economy Jobs Bill 2024
The Clean Economy Jobs Bill 2024 was passed with amendment on 18 April 2024.
On 14 February 2024, the Hon Steven Miles, Premier, introduced the Clean Economy Jobs Bill 2024.
The Bill was referred to the Clean Energy Jobs, Resources and Transport Committee for inquiry. On 5 April 2024, the Committee tabled its report, ‘Clean Economy Jobs Bill 2024’ (Report No. 4, 57th Parliament).
The explanatory notes indicate the Bill aims to support jobs and secure Queensland’s economic future by enshrining the state’s emissions reduction commitments in law.
These targets are:
- 30 per cent reduction below 2005 levels by 2030
- 75 per cent reduction below 2005 levels by 2035
- net zero emissions by 2050.
By legislating the targets, the Bill aims to:
- create policy certainty to attract investment in new industries and in decarbonising the State’s existing industries
- support the creation of more job opportunities in Queensland’s emerging clean economy industries and in existing industries.
To achieve its objectives, the Bill proposes to establish a new Act that:
- sets out Queensland’s emissions targets as identified above
- establishes a requirement to set emissions reduction targets for 2040 and 2045 at least 10 years in advance
- requires annual reporting to the Queensland Parliament on the progress towards achieving Queensland’s emissions reduction targets
- provides for the development of emissions reduction plans for sectors
- establishes an expert panel to provide advice on emissions reduction progress, and efficient and cost-effective ways to reduce emissions that best support jobs and growth, without exacerbating cost of living pressures.
Amendments were made during consideration in detail to:
- require the Minister to review the 2030 emissions reduction target by the end of 2025,
- require public consultation to be undertaken as part of the development of emissions reduction plans, and
- clarify that the Clean Economy Expert Panel may undertake public consultation in carrying out its functions.
Useful resources:
- Parliamentary 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
Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Bill 2024
The Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Bill 2024 was passed with amendment on 18 April 2024.
On 24 October 2023, the Hon Michael de Brenni, then Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen and Minister for Public Works and Procurement, introduced the Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Bill 2023.
The Bill was referred to the Transport and Resources Committee for inquiry. On 1 March 2024, the Clean Energy Jobs, Resources and Transport Committee tabled its report, ‘Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Bill 2024’ (Report No. 1, 57th Parliament).
The Queensland Law Society provided a submission on the Bill, which can be found here.
The purpose of the Bill is to:
- enshrine key commitments from the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, such as the following, in law:
- build a clean and competitive energy system for the economy and industries as a platform for accelerating growth
- deliver affordable energy for households and business and support more rooftop solar and batteries
- drive better outcomes for workers and communities as partners in the energy transformation;
- establishes the infrastructure frameworks needed to build the Queensland SuperGrid, including the Priority Transmission Investment framework to prioritise and build high voltage backbone transmission and the Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) framework to support coordinated, efficient investment and delivery of renewable generation;
- establish the governance and advisory functions for a smooth, coordinated transformation to support workers and communities.
Amendments were made during consideration in detail to:
- Require the regulator to consider if proponents have satisfied the social licence criteria when considering an application for a generation authority, a special approval, a transfer of a special approval or generation authority.
- Create a definition of social licence criteria, providing clarity as to the nature of the social licence criteria that may be prescribed by Regulation.
- The amendments will also create a head of powers for the Minister to develop a code of conduct for social license criteria.
- Insert ‘eligibility ‘principles’ to identify entities and projects that can connect to and access the renewable energy zone transmission network.
- Insert a new, targeted, temporary head of power to make Regulations modifying or disapplying ring-fencing obligations for Powerlink.
The Bill amends the:
- Electricity Act 1994
- Electricity – National Scheme (Queensland) Act 1997
- National Energy Retail Law (Queensland) Act 2014
- Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004
Useful resources:
- Parliamentary 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
Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024
The Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 was passed without amendment on 16 April 2024.
On 14 February 2024, the Hon Meaghan Scanlon, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Planning and Minister for Public Works introduced the Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 into the Queensland Parliament.
The Bill was referred to the Housing, Big Build and Manufacturing Committee for inquiry. On 12 April 2024, the Committee tabled its report, ‘Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024’ (Report No. 3, 57th Parliament).
The Queensland Law Society provided a submission on the Bill, which can be found here.
The explanatory notes indicate the objectives of the Bill are to:
- Clarify and simplify the following matters through amendments to the Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) Act 2017:
- who is a ‘subcontractor beneficiary’ of a project trust
- trust account ledger and record keeping requirements
- retention amount deposits must include GST
- independent review requirements for trust accounts
- transitional application of project trust account and retention trust account eligibility
- Queensland Building and Construction Commission’s (QBCC’s) ability to share information with the Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works (the department) for the purposes of assessing the efficacy of policy.
- Implement recommendations from the QBCC Governance Review 2022 Report to:
- reduce the Queensland Building and Construction Board to seven members and publish a conflict-of-interest register for the Board through amendments to the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Act 1991 (QBCC Act)
- transfer the responsibility for prescribing technical qualification requirements for licensing under the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018 and the Building Act 1975 from the QBCC to the department.
- Progress minor amendments to clarify existing provisions, improve registration and regulatory processes, facilitate QBCC’s ability to share information with the department, and support industry and consumers through amendments to the Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) Act 2017, QBCC Act, Architects Act 2002 and Professional Engineers Act 2002.
The Bill amends the:
- Architects Act 2002
- Building Act 1975
- Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) Act 2017
- Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018
- Professional Engineers Act 2002
- Queensland Building and Construction Commission Act 1991
Useful resources:
Housing Availability and Affordability (Planning and Other Legislation Amendment) Bill 2023
The Housing Availability and Affordability (Planning and Other Legislation Amendment) Bill 2023 was passed with amendment on 16 April 2024.
On 11 October 2023, the Honourable Dr Steven Miles, 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 Bill was referred to the Transport and Resources Committee for inquiry. On 24 November 2023, the State Development and Regional Industries Committee tabled its report, ‘Housing Availability and Affordability (Planning and Other Legislation Amendment) Bill 2023’ (Report No. 51, 57th Parliament).
The Queensland Law Society made a submission on the Bill, which is available here.
The Bill’s objective 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.
Amendments were made during consideration in detail to:
- amend drafting to replace ‘State facilitated applications’ with ‘State facilitated development’ for greater clarity;
- allow the chief executive to determine the requirements for public notification for a State facilitated development application made to the chief executive;
- allow for the chief executive to set and extend the currency period for a development approval given or changed by the chief executive for State facilitated development.
- allow for a condition for the provision of an affordable housing component to be imposed on particular development approvals;
- clarify that a declaration of a State facilitated development cannot be made to change the decision of the Planning and Environment Court;
- limit local governments from including assessment benchmarks for Queensland heritage places and for areas adjoining a Queensland heritage place in their planning schemes and from assessing applications for development on or adjoining Queensland heritage places;
- for the taking of land by the State, require consultation with the public sector entity in whom the land will be vested;
- ensure that the new Ministerial direction power includes the ability to direct a local government about not including an assessment benchmark about the effect or impact of development on a Queensland heritage place;
- provide for how development control plans apply to development and allow for a regulation to transition a category of development in a development control plan (DCP) to a category of assessment under the Planning Act, including for prohibited and accepted development;
- omits the urban investigation zone provisions; and
- make minor corrections to drafting.
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:
- Parliamentary 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
Land and Other Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2023
The Land and Other Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2023 was passed without amendment on 16 April 2024.
On 15 November 2023, the Honourable Scott Stewart, Minister for Resources, introduced the Land and Other Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2023 into Queensland Parliament.
The Bill was referred to the Transport and Resources Committee for inquiry. On 8 March 2024, the Clean Economy Jobs, Resources and Transport Committee tabled its report, ‘Land and Other Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2023 (Report No. 2, 57th Parliament).
The policy objectives of the Bill are to improve regulatory efficiency and ensure the administration of state land and the place naming framework remain contemporary and responsive to community needs.
The Bill provides a range of streamlining amendments that clarify policy intent and reduce administrative complexity.
Specifically, the Bill:
- amends the Land Act 1994 and Land Regulation 2020 to reduce administrative complexity and remove regulatory duplication. The Bill will reduce regulatory requirements to enable timely allocation of tenure. Additionally, the Bill amends the Land Act to proactively support the delivery of strategic government projects and ensure the appropriate tenure for land; and clarify policy intent and support contemporary decision making.
- amends the Land Title Act 1994 to reduce administrative burden and risk to the State by reducing the creation of unapproved unallocated State land.
- amends the Place Names Act 1994 to provide clarification and broaden place naming considerations to reflect important contemporary issues. The Bill will reduce the regulatory burden associated with the naming of a place; and will make the decision-making process more inclusive, flexible, objective and transparent.
- amends the Recreation Areas Management Act 2006 (RAM Act) to enable the renaming by regulation of a recreation area declared under the RAM Act. This amendment will enable recreation areas to be renamed in response to circumstances such as an official change in place name. For example, the recent change in the official name of Fraser Island to K’gari.
- amends the Petroleum Act 1923, Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004, Geothermal Energy Act 2010, and the Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2009 to mandate the payment of applicable local government rates and charges as a condition of a resource authority. The amendments will also allow the Department of Resources to take prescribed non-compliance action against a resource authority holder in the event their rates and charges are unpaid, including using their security to repay unpaid rates and charges, and allowing the Minister to take non-payment of rates and charges into consideration when processing a renewal application.
- amends other legislation to make minor administrative and consequential changes.
The Bill amends the:
- Geothermal Energy Act 2010
- Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2009
- Land Act 1994
- Land Regulation 2020
- Land Title Act 1994
- Petroleum Act 1923
- Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004
- Place Names Act 1994
- Recreation Areas Management Act 2006
- Legislation mentioned in schedule 1
Useful resources:
Subordinate Legislation
Subordinate Queensland Legislation notified in 2024 is available online.
Subordinate Legislation notified on the Queensland Legislation website from 23 March 2024 to 19 April 2024:
- SL No.24 of 2024: Public Trustee (Interest Rate) Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 2024
- SL No.25 of 2024: Marine Parks and Other Legislation Amendment Regulation 2024
- SL No.26 of 2024: Marine Parks (Great Sandy) Zoning Plan 2024
- SL No.27 of 2024: Nature Conservation Legislation Amendment Regulation 2024
- SL No.28 of 2024: Motor Accident Insurance (Administration Fee and Levies) and Other Legislation Amendment Regulation 2024
- SL No.29 of 2024: Legal Profession (Society Rules) Amendment Notice 2024
- SL No.30 of 2024: Proclamation—Gas Supply and Other Legislation (Hydrogen Industry Development) Amendment Act 2023 (commencing remaining provisions)
- SL No.31 of 2024: Gas Supply Amendment Regulation 2024
- SL No.32 of 2024: Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Legislation Amendment Regulation 2024
- SL No.33 of 2024: Public Records (Commission of Inquiry to Examine DNA Project 13 Concerns) Amendment Regulation 2024
- SL No.34 of 2024: Transport Operations (Marine Safety) (Riverston Bay Marine Zone) Amendment Regulation 2024
- SL No.35 of 2024: Work Health and Safety (Codes of Practice) (Solar Farms) and Other Legislation Amendment Notice 2024
- SL No.36 of 2024: Heavy Vehicle National Legislation Amendment Regulation 2024
- SL No.37 of 2024: Lotteries Amendment Regulation 2024
- SL No.38 of 2024: Water Plan (Burnett Basin) (Postponement of Expiry) Notice 2024
Queensland Government Gazette
The Queensland Government Gazettes for 2024 are available online.
Parliamentary sitting dates
As indicated on the parliamentary website, the Queensland Parliament is currently scheduled to next sit from 30 April to 2 May 2024.
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