Significant criminal law reforms introduced

Significant criminal law reforms were introduced regarding the creation of non-consensual intimate images and audio material, together with the passage of the Breach of Bail Go to Jail reforms in last week’s October Parliamentary Sitting.

Bills introduced this sitting

Criminal Code (Non-consensual Creation of Intimate Images and Audio Material) Amendment Bill 2026

This Bill was introduced into Parliament on 27 October 2026 and referred to the Justice, Integrity and Community Safety Committee for detailed consideration.

The Bill strengthens Queensland’s response to technology-facilitated sexual abuse, including the non-consensual creation of AI-generated or digitally altered (“deepfake”) intimate images and audio material, recognising the significant psychological, reputational and social harm that can result even where the material is not distributed.

The Bill’s objectives are to:

• introduce a new offence for the non-consensual creation of intimate images and audio material;
• ensure Queensland’s laws capture realistic AI-generated and manipulated (“deepfake”) intimate content;
• broaden existing offences to capture threats to create or distribute such material;
• strengthen victim protections including by enabling courts to order the removal or destruction of offending material at an early stage of proceedings; and
• amend child protection and disability worker screening legislation to ensure persons convicted of the new offence in relation to children or vulnerable people are appropriately assessed as posing a potential risk.

The closing date for submissions is 4pm on Monday, 9 November 2026. The committee is due to table its report on Friday, 11 December 2026.

*Criminal Code (Non-fatal Strangulation) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026

This Bill was introduced as a Private Members Bill by the Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon into Parliament on 28 October 2026 and referred to the Justice, Integrity and Community Safety Committee for detailed consideration.

The Bill’s objectives are to:

• increase protections for victim-survivors of non-fatal strangulation in a domestic setting;
• strengthen the legislative framework for non-fatal strangulation;
• establish a new aggravated offence of non-fatal strangulation;
• expands the application of grievous bodily harm relating to non-fatal strangulation in sexual or violent instances;
• modify the way consent is relevant to strangulation offences;
• better reflect the seriousness of conduct involving strangulation;
• reduce judicial delays of matters relating to non-fatal strangulation;
• improve informed decision making within the judicial system relating to non-fatal decision making; and
• clarify when defences should apply and carving out protections for socially acceptable conduct.

The closing date for submissions is yet to be announced.

Rural and Regional Adjustment Bill 2026

This Bill was introduced into Parliament on 28 October 2026 and referred to the Primary Industries and Resources Committee for detailed consideration.

The proposed amendments aim to modernise the Act, enhance customer service, and streamline and improve the operations of the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA).

To achieve this, the Bill will:

• allow financial assistance schemes to be established in non-legislative documents or guidelines and approved by Ministerial Notice (instead of detailed in a regulation). This will streamline the process and reduce the time and resources involved in establishing and amending financial assistance schemes, while maintaining modern standards of accountability;
• allow QRIDA to administer ‘parts’ of schemes in Queensland. This will mean that the Queensland Government can leverage QRIDA’s expertise to deliver these schemes, which will in turn strengthen its role in contributing to economic growth in rural and regional Queensland;
• allow QRIDA to issue notices to recover funds paid in error, which will strengthen QRIDA’s capacity to manage public resources responsibly; and
• modernise governance and administrative provisions and improve customer service and the operations of QRIDA.

The closing date for submissions is yet to be announced.

Bills passed this sitting

Breach Bail, Go to Jail and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026

This Bill was passed with amendment on 29 October 2026.

The objectives of the amendments to the Bill to be moved during consideration in detail are to:

• amend the Bill to clarify technical procedural matters for the new offence of committing particular offences while on bail, unlawfully at large or failing to appear (section 29AA offence);
• amend the Expanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social Behaviour Amendment Act 2026 to make consequential amendments that reflect the Bill’s amendments to section 11 of the Youth Justice Act 1992; and
• make other minor and technical amendments to the Bill.

QLS made a submission to the bill and was represented by Damian Bartholomew, Chair of the Children’s Law Committee, Adam Moschella, Member of the Criminal Law Committee, and Kristen Hodge, Co-chair of the First Nations Legal Policy Committee at the public hearing.

The Society supported the objective around reducing serious repeat offending, however opposed the new offence, its application to children and the mandatory minimum custodial penalty.

Regarding children, QLS noted the proposed changes would entrench their involvement in the criminal justice system at precisely the stage when early intervention was required to prevent that trajectory.

QLS also voiced concerns regarding the override declaration in the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000 (Qld) on the treatment of all persons detained in watchhouses where human rights considerations may be displaced.

Read more about our appearance on QLS Proctor.

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 17 November 2026 to 19 November 2026.