In last week’s Parliamentary Sitting, a state development bill and health amendment bill were introduced, alongside the passage of several significant reforms. Notably, Parliament passed the e‑mobility reforms following further consultation on amendments aimed at ensuring a more balanced and practical regulatory framework around safety, compliance and accessibility.
The sitting also included the passage of an important environmental protection bill, focused on improving efficiency and modernising Queensland’s environmental laws.
Bills introduced this sitting
- State Development and Public Works Organisation (Critical Minerals) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026
On 2 June 2026, the State Development and Public Works Organisation (Critical Minerals) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 was introduced into Queensland Parliament and referred to the Primary Industries and Resources Committee for detailed consideration.
The primary objective of the Bill is to amend the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 (the SPDWO Act) to modernise and improve the Act, placing the government in position to evaluate, plan, enable and deliver the development of key economic drivers for Queensland, including the critical minerals sector and associated industrial activity.
To achieve that objective, the Bill:
(1) establishes new powers and improves existing functions for facilitating projects of significance to the State;
(2) modernises the SDPWO Act’s infrastructure and land use planning and coordination frameworks for the resources and heavy industrial sectors; and
(3) improves, clarifies and streamlines existing processes and powers within the SDPWO Act to ensure its efficient and effective administration.
The closing date for submissions is 4pm 25 June 2026. The Committee is due to table its report on Friday, 7 August 2026.
Useful Resources:
- Health Legislation Amendment Bill 2026
On 4 June 2026, the Health Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 was introduced into Parliament and referred to the Health, Environment and Innovation Committee for detailed consideration.
The Bill amends the:
- Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011 to allow Queensland Health to directly acquire land compulsorily and by resumption agreement, for a health infrastructure purpose;
- Mental Health Act 2016 to make a range of substantive and technical amendments to improve the operation of the Act, including to protect the safety of staff and patients in authorised mental health services;
- Pharmacy Business Ownership Act 2024 to restrict the affiliation of pharmacy businesses with supermarket businesses in the online environment;
- Public Health Act 2005 to require external providers delivering the School Immunisation Program to share student information with Hospital and Health Services for follow-up purposes when requested; o enable more granular requirements for the reporting of pathology request notifiable conditions;
- Public Health Regulation 2018 to prescribe hepatitis C as a pathology request notifiable condition for ribonucleic acid tests only; and
- Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Act 1998 to streamline the forfeiture process for seized illicit tobacco and illicit nicotine products.
The closing date for submissions is 10am on 3 July 2026 and the committee is due to table its report on 7 August.
Useful Resources:
Bills passed this sitting
- Transport and Other Legislation (Managing E-mobility Use and Protecting Our Communities) Amendment Bill 2026
The Transport and Other Legislation (Managing E-mobility Use and Protecting Our Communities) Amendment Bill 2026 was passed with amendment on 4 June 2026.
QLS made a submission to the Parliamentary Committee and appeared at the public hearing on 24 April 2026. The Society was represented by Matilda Alexander, Co-chair of the Human Rights and Public Law Committee, Adam Moschella, Member of the Criminal Law Committee, and Hayley Stubbings, QLS Special Counsel Legal Policy.
Following this, several of the Committee’s recommendations closely reflected concerns raised by QLS during the inquiry process, particularly around ensuring the laws strike the right balance between safety and accessibility. QLS advocated for the importance of continuing targeted consultation with those most affected, including people with disability, advocates and others with lived experience to address the complexities of the reforms. The Committee’s report can be read here.
The laws were amended so those aged 12-17 can use e-mobility devices with parental supervision, and those with a medical condition or disability who don’t have a licence will be able to use e-mobility devices under a medical exemption framework. Other key changes ensure existing compliant e‑bikes remain lawful, introduce a verification framework for legacy and special‑purpose devices, allow flexible compliance labelling with defences, soften licensing and age requirements through exemptions and transitional arrangements, and refine speed limits on shared paths. The amendments also clarify enforcement powers and introduce staged commencement.
Useful Resources:
- Bill
- Explanatory Notes
- Statement of Compatibility
- Explanatory Speech
- AinC govt agreed
- AinC exp note
- AinC statement of compatibility
- Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025
The Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 was introduced on 20 November 2025 and passed without amendment on 2 June 2026.
The Bill aims to improve efficiency and modernise Queensland’s environmental laws by reducing regulatory burden, clarifying processes, and making frameworks more responsive. It amends several Acts to streamline approvals, align procedures, clarify definitions and powers, and support tourism and land management. Key changes include simplifying regulation of environmentally relevant activities, removing duplication in assessment and notification processes, updating rehabilitation planning requirements, and enabling best-practice environmental management.
QLS made a written submission to the parliamentary inquiry considering this Bill and appeared at the public hearing. QLS indicated support for reform that reduces complexity and duplication to better enable the regulatory framework to be understood and complied with; however, highlighted potential unintended consequences flowing from:
- The extended timeframe to commence a summary proceeding;
- The removal of consultation of draft terms of reference if this process is not made clear to the public; and
- Confusion as to whether new ERA codes are required to be registered with the department, leading to a lack of oversight.
The Bill amends the:
- Environmental Protection Act 1994
- Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011
- Nature Conservation Act 1992
- Water Act 2000
- Forestry Act 1959
Useful Resources:
- Bill
- Explanatory Notes
- Statement of Compatibility
- Explanatory Speech
- The Committee’s report can be read here.
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 25 to 27 August 2026.
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