Public Health and Other Legislation (Further Extension of Expiring Provisions) Amendment Bill 2021
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
Introduced the bill to extend COVID-19 emergency response measures until 30 April 2022, including quarantine powers and modifications to legislative requirements, as the pandemic continues.
“The bill represents the Palaszczuk government's continued commitment to supporting the health and safety and economic future of all Queenslanders.”— 2021-06-16View Hansard
Referred to Health and Environment Committee
▸1 procedural vote
Vote to grant leave
Vote on whether to grant leave for the member for Maiwar (Greens) to move an amendment outside the long title of the bill to establish a COVID-19 oversight committee. Leave was denied 37-47.
Permission was refused.
A vote on whether to grant permission — for example, to introduce an amendment or vary normal procedure.
▸Show individual votesHide individual votes
Ayes (37)
Noes (47)
Vote on a motion
Vote on a procedural motion during the Public Health Bill debate. The motion was defeated 32-48.
The motion was rejected.
A formal vote on whether to accept a proposal — this could be the bill itself, an amendment, or another motion.
▸Show individual votesHide individual votes
Ayes (32)
Noes (48)
▸22 members spoke10 support7 oppose5 mixed
Strongly supported the bill, praising Queensland's health response to COVID-19 and criticising the federal government for failures in vaccine rollout and quarantine. Expressed concerns about the consequences of opening up too early.
“Other than mask wearing, very few freedoms and liberties have been lost here. Let us keep it that way.”— 2021-09-02View Hansard
As Health Minister, moved the second reading and defended the bill, highlighting Queensland's success in containing COVID-19 compared to other jurisdictions and the importance of maintaining emergency powers.
“The United Kingdom has recorded over 130,000 deaths from COVID-19. If Queensland had the same proportion of deaths relative to our population, 12½ thousand people would be dead, not seven.”— 2021-09-01View Hansard
Supported extending the health powers but proposed amendments to shorten the extension period and require publication of health advice. Called for hope over fear and a clear pathway out of the pandemic.
“The pandemic politics and the scaremongering and the fear have to stop. What this bill does and what the proposed amendments do is chart a course out of that—hope over fear; confidence over chaos; a pathway out of the pandemic.”— 2021-09-02View Hansard
Criticised the government for excluding border community members from consultation on border closures, and highlighted bungling in the exemptions process that prevented essential workers from working.
“The Labor government has consistently and systemically excluded not only me but also every other member who represents a constituency along the border.”— 2021-09-01View Hansard
Strongly supported the bill, praising the Premier and Chief Health Officer's performance. Shared personal experiences of family members affected by COVID restrictions in other states and working as frontline health workers.
“I am really proud to be a part of a government that has taken such a strong stance on this, such a sensible stance and such a sound non-political response to this pandemic.”— 2021-09-02View Hansard
Expressed concerns about extending powers to April 2022 being too long, citing mental health impacts and small business struggles. Requested the extension be shortened to December 2021 while acknowledging the need for emergency powers.
“With the need for a time line that our communities can visualise, I ask that government support the amendment to reduce the time frame of the extension to December 2021.”— 2021-09-02View Hansard
Supported the bill as a reasonable and measured approach, contrasting Queensland's success with the situation in New South Wales. Shared her son's experience of 12 weeks lockdown in Sydney.
“Being quick to act on masks and being quick to act on lockdowns is what ensures we keep Queenslanders safe, and it is why New South Wales is in the position they are in.”— 2021-09-02View Hansard
Supported extending health powers but advocated for LNP amendments to release health advice and review powers at year end. Highlighted impacts on border community businesses, families and schools.
“My community has already sacrificed so much to keep our fellow Queenslanders safe. The Premier likes to take credit for keeping Queensland safe, but it was not the Premier: it was every single Queenslander who kept us safe.”— 2021-09-02View Hansard
Supported extending emergency provisions but proposed amendments to establish a parliamentary COVID-19 oversight committee to improve transparency and scrutiny of government decisions.
“If the government could set aside its fear of criticism, it might see how additional transparency and reflection would actually allow us to learn from and improve our response and do it even better next time.”— 2021-09-02View Hansard
Opposed the bill, criticising the extension of emergency powers without adequate transparency or parliamentary oversight, and expressing concerns about impacts on businesses and mental health.
“When you rule, you answer to no-one. When you govern you are accountable for every action that you take.”— 2021-09-02View Hansard
Supported the bill but called for better protections for renters, including an eviction moratorium and rental support grants during lockdowns. Also supported the proposed oversight committee amendment.
“No-one should lose their home because of the pandemic. The government should be putting these protections in place now, not waiting for the crisis to worsen.”— 2021-09-02View Hansard
Supported extending health powers but advocated for LNP amendments to limit extension to December 2021 and require release of expert health advice to address inconsistencies in government decisions.
“What really gets the people of Glass House and the people of Queensland is when they are treated like fools and not told why these decisions are being made.”— 2021-09-02View Hansard
As Health Minister, strongly defended the bill and opposed LNP amendments to shorten the extension period, arguing Queensland's success required continuing these powers and that a December deadline was impractical given the evolving situation.
“Our success was not predetermined or based on luck; it was the result of the leadership of the Premier, the expert advice of our Chief Health Officer and the hard work of every Queenslander.”— 2021-09-02View Hansard
Opposed the bill extending COVID-19 emergency powers until May 2022, arguing the extension was too long and that the government should have a clearer roadmap out of emergency measures.
“The LNP does not support extending these extraordinary powers until May next year.”— 2021-09-02View Hansard
Opposed the bill, criticising the extended emergency powers and lack of parliamentary oversight over COVID-19 directions.
“The LNP does not support the extension of these emergency powers.”— 2021-09-02View Hansard
Supported the bill as necessary to continue Queensland's successful COVID-19 response and protect the community.
“These powers have been essential to keeping Queenslanders safe.”— 2021-09-02View Hansard
Opposed the extended emergency powers, expressing concerns about the impact on businesses and the need for clearer timelines.
“Business operators need certainty, not open-ended emergency powers.”— 2021-09-02View Hansard
Supported the bill to continue effective COVID-19 response measures.
“This bill allows us to continue our health response.”— 2021-09-02View Hansard
Supported the bill, emphasising the importance of protecting remote Indigenous communities.
“These measures are vital for protecting our most vulnerable communities.”— 2021-09-02View Hansard
As shadow health minister, opposed the bill arguing for shorter extensions and greater parliamentary scrutiny of emergency powers.
“The LNP supports measured public health responses but not open-ended emergency powers.”— 2021-09-02View Hansard
Opposed the extended emergency powers, criticising impacts on regional communities and calling for clearer exit strategies.
“Regional Queenslanders need certainty about when these restrictions will end.”— 2021-09-02View Hansard
Opposed the bill, expressing concerns about the duration of emergency powers and their impact on civil liberties.
“We cannot continue with these emergency powers indefinitely.”— 2021-09-02View Hansard
That the amendment be agreed to
The motion was defeated.
▸Show individual votesHide individual votes
Ayes (35)
Noes (49)
That the amendment be agreed to
Vote on the LNP's amendment to shorten the emergency powers extension from 30 April 2022 to 10 December 2021. The amendment was defeated 35-49.
The motion was defeated.
▸Show individual votesHide individual votes
Ayes (35)
Noes (49)
Moved amendment to shorten the extension to December 2021, arguing parliament should have the opportunity to review whether powers are still needed by that time given expected vaccination progress.
“As parliamentarians we would be able to debate and pass a new bill that grants an additional extension prior to the expiration if the medical advice told us that was required for the safety and security of all Queenslanders.”— 2021-09-02View Hansard
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill extended Queensland's COVID-19 emergency measures from September 2021 to April 2022, continuing public health powers, quarantine requirements, and economic protections while vaccines were being rolled out. It also improved the quarantine fee system by allowing prepayment and third-party liability arrangements for traveller cohorts like seasonal workers.
Who it affects
International travellers faced quarantine fee prepayment requirements. Renters and small businesses retained COVID-19 hardship protections. Body corporates, local governments, and courts could continue operating remotely.
Public health emergency powers
Extended powers for the Chief Health Officer and emergency officers to issue public health directions, quarantine requirements, and detention orders until 30 April 2022. These powers underpinned Queensland's border controls and outbreak responses.
- Emergency powers for quarantine and public health directions extended to 30 April 2022
- Quarantine directions can now be served electronically with consent
- 14-day detention powers for quarantine purposes continued
Quarantine fee reforms
Improved the quarantine fee system to help Queensland recoup costs as more travellers entered during the vaccination rollout. Employers could now pay fees on behalf of workers.
- Certain traveller cohorts can be required to prepay quarantine fees before arrival
- Third parties like employers can accept liability for another person's quarantine fees
- Prescribed fees can now include indirect costs like transport to quarantine hotels
- Refunds available if travel plans change or quarantine is shorter than expected
Economic and social protections
Continued temporary protections for renters, small business tenants, and body corporate owners affected by COVID-19 restrictions.
- Renters cannot be listed in tenancy databases for COVID-19 rent arrears
- Small business tenants protected from eviction under the National Cabinet leasing code
- Body corporate committees can continue restricting access to common property for health reasons
- Limited reletting costs for renters ending leases early due to hardship
Government and institutional flexibility
Extended arrangements allowing courts, tribunals, local governments, and committees to operate remotely during the pandemic.
- Local government meetings can continue via audio-visual link
- Domestic violence proceedings can be conducted by audio or video link
- Body corporate and community titles meetings can be held remotely
- Election arrangements modified to allow COVID-safe by-elections
Corrective services and emergency management
Extended emergency powers for prisons and disaster management to respond to COVID-19 outbreaks in facilities.
- Emergency declarations can apply to all corrective services facilities, not just prisons
- Disaster situation declarations can be extended by up to 90 days
- Parole Board quorum requirements modified to allow remote participation