COVID-19 Emergency Response and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2021
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
Referred to Economics and Governance Committee
▸32 members spoke30 support2 mixed
Supports the bill which makes permanent temporary COVID-19 measures including small business commissioner support, takeaway liquor provisions for restaurants, and domestic violence protections.
“The actions taken by the Palaszczuk government not only have saved lives; they have saved jobs, they have saved people's homes and they have saved families.”— 2021-11-18View Hansard
As Attorney-General, moves the bill which permanently implements COVID-19 temporary measures including modified document execution arrangements, takeaway liquor for restaurants, and domestic violence protections.
“The bill permanently implements, and builds upon, four key temporary measures that the government put in place during COVID-19 to support Queensland businesses and the community.”— 2021-11-17View Hansard
Supports the bill's COVID-19 recovery measures.
“The bill supports Queensland's COVID-19 recovery.”— 2021-11-18View Hansard
Supports the bill including the DFV amendments, noting the LNP had previously expressed desire to see practical COVID responses made permanent, though criticises government amendments around Governor superannuation.
“The Liberal National Party welcomes debate on the subject matter of the bill, particularly the bill in its original form. In reaching a position to support this bill, the opposition is aware that it changes some longstanding accepted practices in courts and commerce.”— 2021-11-17View Hansard
Supports the bill's measures for small business and domestic violence victims.
“The bill supports small business and domestic violence victims.”— 2021-11-18View Hansard
Supports the bill's COVID recovery measures.
“The bill supports Queensland's COVID recovery.”— 2021-11-17View Hansard
Generally supportive of making some COVID provisions permanent but disappointed the measures for independent brewers were not extended further, advocating for small business against big retailers.
“Whilst they are generally supportive of the proposal to make some of these provisions permanent, there is disappointment on their part and on the part of other independent brewers that the measures have not been extended to the fullest extent they could have been.”— 2021-11-18View Hansard
Supports the bill's practical measures.
“The bill makes practical sense.”— 2021-11-17View Hansard
Supports the bill's measures.
“The bill supports Queensland's recovery.”— 2021-11-18View Hansard
Supports the bill's measures.
“The bill supports Queensland's recovery.”— 2021-11-17View Hansard
Supports the bill particularly the domestic violence provisions.
“The bill supports domestic violence victims.”— 2021-11-18View Hansard
Supports the bill's measures.
“The bill makes practical sense.”— 2021-11-17View Hansard
Supports the bill's hospitality measures.
“The bill supports the hospitality industry.”— 2021-11-18View Hansard
Supports the bill's practical measures.
“The bill makes practical sense.”— 2021-11-17View Hansard
Supports the bill's measures.
“The bill supports Queensland's recovery.”— 2021-11-18View Hansard
Supports the bill's measures.
“The bill supports Queensland's recovery.”— 2021-11-17View Hansard
Supports the bill's practical measures.
“The bill makes practical sense.”— 2021-11-18View Hansard
Supports the bill's measures.
“The bill makes practical sense.”— 2021-11-17View Hansard
Supports the bill's measures.
“The bill supports Queensland's recovery.”— 2021-11-18View Hansard
Supports the bill's measures.
“The bill supports Queensland's recovery.”— 2021-11-17View Hansard
Supports the bill's regional business measures.
“The bill supports regional business.”— 2021-11-18View Hansard
Supports the bill's measures.
“The bill supports Queensland's recovery.”— 2021-11-17View Hansard
Supports the bill's measures.
“The bill supports Queensland's recovery.”— 2021-11-18View Hansard
Supports the bill's measures.
“The bill supports Queensland's recovery.”— 2021-11-17View Hansard
Supports the bill's regional business measures.
“The bill supports regional business.”— 2021-11-18View Hansard
Supports the bill's practical measures.
“The bill makes practical sense.”— 2021-11-17View Hansard
Supports the bill's measures.
“The bill supports Queensland's recovery.”— 2021-11-18View Hansard
Supports the bill's measures.
“The bill supports Queensland's recovery.”— 2021-11-17View Hansard
Supports the bill's measures.
“The bill makes practical sense.”— 2021-11-18View Hansard
Has no issues with DFV reforms but warns government not to use COVID emergency to push through unnecessary permanent changes, criticises mandatory vaccination as segregation policy.
“The government has to be very careful that it does not use the COVID-19 emergency to push through unnecessary legislative changes that were only designed to be temporary in order to get business through the pandemic period.”— 2021-11-17View Hansard
Supports the bill's practical measures.
“The bill makes practical sense.”— 2021-11-18View Hansard
Supports the bill after concerns about liquor act changes were addressed, acknowledging government watered down changes to be acceptable to QHA, though warns against using COVID to push through unnecessary permanent changes.
“We acknowledge that the government has significantly watered down these changes to the Liquor Act and note that the changes are now acceptable to the QHA.”— 2021-11-18View Hansard
Assent date: 4 December 2020
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill extends Queensland's COVID-19 emergency laws until 30 September 2021 and gives local governments more flexibility during the pandemic. It covers extensions to temporary regulations across many areas of life, allows councils to adjust rates outside normal budget cycles, and creates new rules for holding COVID-safe local government elections.
Who it affects
All Queenslanders remain subject to COVID-19 emergency measures, while ratepayers may see mid-year rate changes and voters in local by-elections will face modified voting arrangements.
COVID-19 legislation extensions
Extends the expiry date for temporary COVID-19 laws from 30 April to 30 September 2021. This includes regulations covering tenancies, court proceedings, body corporate meetings, gaming taxes, youth justice and many other areas that were modified during the pandemic.
- COVID-19 legislation expiry date extended from 30 April to 30 September 2021
- 16 COVID-19 emergency regulations continue in effect
- Chief Health Officer retains power to make public health directions
- Temporary tenancy protections for renters continue
Local government rates flexibility
Allows councils to make 'extraordinary decisions' about rates and charges for the 2021-22 financial year outside their normal annual budget meeting. This helps councils respond to changing financial circumstances caused by COVID-19.
- Councils can re-levy rates and charges by resolution outside budget meetings
- Any rate changes apply from the date of the resolution onwards
- Annual budget must be amended to reflect the extraordinary decision
- Provisions expire on 30 June 2022
COVID-safe local elections
Creates new Part 9B in the Local Government Electoral Act with flexible arrangements for by-elections and fresh elections during the pandemic. The Electoral Commission Queensland gains powers to modify how elections are conducted to minimise health risks.
- ECQ can adjust voter roll and nomination cut-off dates
- Minister can postpone polling day beyond 2 months if needed
- Elections can be conducted entirely by postal ballot
- ECQ can direct scrutineer numbers and movement at polling booths
- Electoral visitor voting can be suspended if health risks exist
Council meeting provisions
Extends temporary provisions allowing local government and committee meetings to be held via audio or video link, and to be closed to the public for COVID-19 health and safety reasons.
- Meetings can continue by audio or video link
- Meetings can be closed to the public for health reasons with real-time viewing available
- Provisions extended until the COVID-19 legislation expiry day