Police and Other Legislation (Identity and Biometric Capability) Amendment Bill 2018
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
Referred to Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee
As Minister for Police, introduced and commended the bill which addresses three priorities: enabling Queensland's participation in national identity-matching services, increasing penalties for explosives offences, and providing extended liquor trading for the Commonwealth Games.
“The Palaszczuk government is delivering on its promise to provide our police with the tools they need to meet contemporary challenges that we as a community face, such as identity crime and terrorism.”— 2018-03-06View Hansard
Confirmed the LNP would not oppose the bill, supporting the identity-matching and counterterrorism provisions, but criticised the liquor licensing provisions as too restrictive, arguing extended hours should apply to all Gold Coast venues rather than just safe night precincts.
“The LNP will not be opposing the changes as proposed in the bill. The changes primarily stem from a COAG agreement in October last year when all first ministers agreed to establish identity-matching services.”— 2018-03-06View Hansard
Spoke in support of the bill and recommended members vote in favour of the legislation, before the debate was adjourned.
“I rise in the House to speak in support of the Police and Other Legislation (Identity and Biometric Capability) Amendment Bill. I recommend that members of this House vote in favour of the legislation.”— 2018-03-06View Hansard
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill enables Queensland to participate in a national facial recognition system that shares driver licence photos between Australian governments to combat identity fraud and terrorism. It also increases penalties for explosives offences and provided temporary extended liquor trading for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Who it affects
All Queenslanders with driver licences will have their photos available for national identity matching. Police gain faster access to investigate serious crimes, while the Gold Coast hospitality industry benefited from temporary extended trading during the Commonwealth Games.
National identity matching
Queensland joins a national system that allows government agencies to match facial images from driver licences to verify identities and identify criminal suspects. The system was agreed by all state and territory leaders following counter-terrorism reviews.
- Driver licence photos can be shared with Commonwealth and other state governments
- Police no longer need court orders to access photos for serious crime investigations
- Annual parliamentary reporting on photo access is removed
- New criminal offences for misusing identity information
Explosives penalties
Maximum penalties for making or possessing homemade explosives are increased to better reflect the danger to the community, particularly given the terrorism threat.
- Maximum penalty increased from 2 years to 7 years for depositing explosives in dangerous circumstances
- Maximum penalty increased from 3 years to 7 years for possessing explosives with criminal intent
- New offence covers making explosives in dangerous circumstances
Commonwealth Games liquor trading
Venues in Gold Coast safe night precincts received an automatic extra hour of liquor trading during the 2018 Commonwealth Games, with new powers for the Liquor Commissioner to immediately restrict problem venues.
- One additional hour of trading automatically granted to venues in Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise
- Liquor Commissioner could immediately suspend or restrict licences on police recommendation
- No review rights or compensation for affected licensees during Games period
- These provisions expired on 18 April 2018