In a packed three‑day sitting, the Queensland Parliament advanced a significant legislative agenda, introducing major reforms across justice, community safety, youth crime, drug laws and waterways governance, alongside passing two key bills.
Below are the key developments from the sitting week.
Bills introduced this Parliament
Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026
The Bill was introduced on 4 March 2026 and referred to the Justice, Integrity and Community Safety Committee for consideration.
The Explanatory Notes introduce the following changes across the Justice portfolio.
- Metal theft crackdown – the Bill introduces new offences and higher penalties to reduce metal theft, and it strengthens regulations on scrap‑metal dealers through stricter ID checks, mandatory transaction recording and increased penalties.
- Broader justice system updates – it raises the District Court’s civil jurisdiction to $1.5 million, enables District and Magistrates Courts to issue charging and stop orders, and updates provisions governing the use of sexual‑assault evidence.
- Media access to court information – Police and court registrars given a legislative basis to disclose limited alleged‑offender information to accredited media to support open justice, with safeguards and penalties for misuse.
Submissions are due to the committee on 19 March 2026 with a public hearing scheduled for 8 April 2026. The committee is due to table its report on Friday, 17 April 2026.
Expanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social Behaviour Amendment Bill 2026
The Bill was introduced on 4 March 2026 and referred to the Justice, Integrity and Community Safety Committee for consideration.
The Explanatory Notes outline the following amendments to a suite of legislation including the Youth Justice Act 1992, Drugs Misuse Act 1986, Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000 and the State Penalties Enforcement Act 1999.
- Expansion of the Adult Crime, Adult Time framework to include 12 additional offences, including attempts, conspiracies, and being an accessory after the fact, as well as the standalone offence of attempted robbery. The full list of offences and penalties can be viewed here.
- Repeal of the Police Drug Diversion Program and replacement with the Illicit Drug Enforcement and Diversion Framework, which narrows diversion opportunities for first‑time and low‑risk offenders, allows police to issue a PIN at their discretion, and creates two diversion pathways for minor cannabis and minor drug offences.
- Introduction of a framework for Designated Business and Community Precincts, enabling these areas to be declared by regulation and expanding police powers used within them, including handheld scanning without senior police officer approval, stronger move‑on directions, and extended police banning notices.
The committee will receive submissions until 18 March 2026. A public hearing has been scheduled for 27 March 2026, with the committee expected to table its report on Friday, 17 April 2026.
Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority Bill 2026
The Bill was introduced on 4 March 2026 and referred to the State Development, Infrastructure and Works Committee for consideration.
The Bill seeks to establish the Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority (SCWA) as a statutory body responsible for managing defined waterways from Pumicestone Passage in the south to the Noosa lakes in the north, including the Noosa, Maroochy and Mooloolah rivers.
The SCWA’s proposed functions include:
- Developing a strategic waterways management strategy that considers community, environmental and economic impacts
- Implementing the strategy through a waterways management program
- Installing, managing and maintaining waterways infrastructure
In developing the waterways management strategy, the SCWA must consult with the public, Maritime Safety Queensland, and the Moreton Bay, Noosa and Sunshine Coast local governments.
Submissions to the Bill are due on 20 March 2026, with the committee due to table their report on 17 April 2026. For further information on the Bill, please visit the committee website.
Criminal Code (Defence of Dwellings and Other Premises – Castle Law) Amendment Bill 2026
The Bill was introduced by Member for Traeger, Robbie Katter on 4 March 2026 and referred to the Justice, Integrity and Community Safety Committee for consideration.
The Bill’s objective is to amend section 267 of the Queensland Criminal Code provide clearer guidance and legal protection for individuals who use force to defend themselves or others within their homes. This amendment is commonly referred to as the ‘Castle Doctrine’.
Submissions are due to the committee on 21 April 2026. For more details on the Bill, visit the committee website.
Bills passed this sitting
Fighting Antisemitism and Keeping Guns out of the Hands of Terrorists and Criminals Amendment Bill 2026
The Fighting Antisemitism and Keeping Guns out of the Hands of Terrorists and Criminals Amendment Bill 2026 was introduced on 10 February 2026 and passed with amendment on 5 March 2026.
The amendments remove the State Government’s power to add new prohibited expressions by regulation so that any future changes must go through Parliament. It also directly writes two specific expressions “from the river to the sea” and “globalise the intifada” into the legislation as prohibited expressions.
In addition, the Bill introduces a new defence confirming that a person does not commit an offence if a prohibited expression is used specifically to oppose the extremist ideology it represents.
QLS contributed to the inquiry through a formal submission and an appearance before the Committee, represented by Co-Deputy Chair QLS Human Rights and Public Law Committee Bridget Burton and QLS Criminal Law Committee Member Adam Moschella.
Local Government (Empowering Councils) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025
The Local Government (Empowering Councils) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 was introduced on 20 November 2025 and passed with amendment on 5 March 2026.
The amendments tighten confidentiality rules for Brisbane City Council by keeping all draft and deliberative committee documents confidential for 10 years while allowing access only to finalised agendas, minutes, decisions and submissions; they update local‑government superannuation laws so contributions must be paid at the same time as salary in line with the new federal payday‑super regime from 1 July 2026; and they expand information‑sharing so the Early Childhood Regulatory Authority can provide additional regulatory actions to the blue‑card system to support better child‑safety assessments.
For more details on the Bill, visit the committee website.
Subordinate legislation
Subordinate Queensland Legislation notified in 2026 is available online.
Queensland Government Gazette
The Queensland Government Gazettes for 2026 are available online.
Parliamentary sitting dates
As indicated on the parliamentary website, the Queensland Parliament is currently scheduled to next sit from 24 to 26 March 2026.
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