Making Qld Safer Bill introduced

Jaime Gunning
Jaime Gunning

The first Parliamentary sitting of the newly elected Government came with urgent legislation passed in the one day and youth justice reforms placed on the parliamentary committee fast-track.

Bills introduced

The following bills were introduced into the Legislative Assembly:

  • Making Queensland Safer Bill 2024
  • Queensland Productivity Commission Bill 2024

Making Queensland Safer Bill 2024

On 28 November 2024, the Making Queensland Safer Bill 2024 was introduced to the Queensland Parliament and declared urgent, to compress the parliamentary committee inquiry process.  Read more about QLS appearance at the committee hearing.

According to the Explanatory Notes, the overarching objective of the Bill is to give effect to the Government’s election commitment to implement legislative reforms as part of the Making Queenslanders Safe Plan, including ‘adult crime, adult time’.

Notably, the Bill amends the Youth Justice Act 1992 to remove the current restrictions on minimum, mandatory and maximum sentences for children for several offences in the Criminal Code, including:

  • Murder
  • Manslaughter
  • Unlawful striking causing death
  • Acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm and other malicious acts
  • Wounding
  • Dangerous operation of a vehicle
  • Serious assault
  • Unlawful use or possession of motor vehicles, aircraft or vessels
  • Robbery
  • Burglary
  • Entering or being in premises and committing indictable offences
  • Unlawful entry of vehicle for committing indictable offence

The Bill also removes the principle of detention as a last resort and the principle that a non-custodial order is better than detention in promoting a child’s ability to reintegrate into the community.

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The Bill provides a new definition of a criminal history of a child to include cautions, restorative justice agreements and contraventions of a supervised release order.

Amendments to the Childrens Court Act 1992 further open up the Childrens Court to victims’ representatives, victims’ relatives, the representatives of relatives of a deceased victim and persons holding media accreditation.

When introducing the Bill, the Attorney-General also tabled a Statement about exceptional circumstances, identifying sections in the Bill specifying the Human Rights Act 2019 does not apply.  The Attorney-General’s statement recognised these provisions are incompatible with human rights.  The incompatible provisions involved amendments to section 150 of the Youth Justice Act 1992 (YJ Act) (amendment of sentencing principles) and the insertion of a new section 175A in the YJ Act which provides that for identified offences, adult penalties are to apply to a child being sentenced for those offences.

The Bill amends the:

  • Childrens Court Act 1992
  • The Criminal Code
  • Youth Justice Act 1992
  • and the Acts mentioned in schedule 1 of the Bill

Useful resources:

The Bill was referred to the Justice, Integrity and Community Safety Committee for inquiry. A public hearing was held on 2 December 2024, with submissions to the inquiry closing on 3 December 2024. For further details regarding the inquiry process and submissions, visit the committee’s website here.

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Queensland Productivity Commission Bill 2024

On 28 November 2024, the Queensland Productivity Commission Bill 2024 was introduced to the Queensland Parliament.

The objective of the Bill is to establish the Queensland Productivity Commission (the Commission) as an independent statutory body, formalising its operational independence from Government.

The Bill achieves the policy objectives by establishing the Commission and defining its powers and functions, allowing the Commission to:

  • Undertake inquiries into economic and social issues, regulatory matters or legislation as directed by the Minister;
  • Undertake research into economic and social issues, regulatory matters or legislation as directed or approved by the Minister or on its own initiative;
  • Administer, monitor and review regulatory matters as directed by the Minister; and
  • Provide advice to the Minister as requested.

Useful resources:

The Bill was referred to the Governance, Energy and Finance Committee for inquiry. Submissions to the inquiry will close on 9 December 2024 and a public hearing is scheduled to be held on 17 December 2024. For further details regarding the inquiry process, visit the committee’s website here.

Legislation passed this Parliament

The following legislation was introduced and passed by the Legislative Assembly:

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  • Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Arrangements and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024

Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Arrangements and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024

On 28 November 2024, the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Arrangements and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 was introduced to the Queensland Parliament and passed without amendment on the same day.

A primary objective of the Bill is to repeal the Path to Treaty Act 2023 (Path to Treaty Act) to cease the First Nations Treaty Institute and the Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry. For First Nations members and clients seeking support at this time, a range of services are outlined below. 

Other primary objectives of the Bill include:

  • establish the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (Authority) and require the Authority undertake a review of Games-related infrastructure projects, and any other matters related to Queensland’s preparation for the Games as directed;
  • establish an independent Public Sector Commission by increasing the independence of the Public Sector Commissioner;
  • give effect to key work health and safety (WHS) priorities and reduce regulatory burden for businesses under the WHS legislative framework while maintaining suitable protections for the health and safety of Queensland workers;
  • provide clarity and certainty about the State Facilitated Development (SFD) process by providing that an SFD declaration may be amended and repealed, consistent with by other assessment pathways under the Planning Act 2016 such as Ministerial Infrastructure Designations.

The Bill amends the:

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities (Justice, Land and Other Matters) Act 1984
  • Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Arrangements Act 2021
  • Electrical Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024
  • Planning Act 2016
  • Planning and Environment Court Act 2016
  • Public Sector Act 2022
  • Work Health and Safety Act 2011
  • and the Acts mentioned in schedule 1 of the Bill

The Bill repeals the:

  • Path to Treaty Act 2023

Useful resources:

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The repeal of the Path to Treaty Act 2023 is upsetting news for a number of community members.  QLS members, First Nations clients and members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community can obtain support from the following services:

For QLS members – through LawCare:

For First Nations clients and Community:

  • 13YARN provides 24/7 free and confidential crisis support. Call 13 92 76.
  • Thirrili provides support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the aftermath of suicide or other fatal critical incidents. Call 1800 805 801, 24 hours/7 days a week.
  • Brother to brother 24-hour crisis line | 1800 435 799
  • eheadspace, provides free online and telephone support and counselling to young people 12 – 25 and their families and friends, including fortnightly yarn circles.
  • WellMob brings together online resources made by and for our mob. Here you will find websites, apps, podcasts, videos, helplines, social media, and online programs all with a focus on social and emotional wellbeing.

Subordinate legislation

Subordinate Queensland Legislation notified in 2024 is available online.

Subordinate Legislation notified on the Queensland Legislation website from 20 September to 22 November 2024:

Queensland Government Gazette

The Queensland Government Gazettes for 2024 are available online.

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Parliamentary sitting dates

As indicated on the parliamentary website, the Queensland Parliament is currently scheduled to next sit from 10 December to 12 December 2024.

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