Economic Development and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2018

Shadow minister stated the LNP would not oppose the bill outright but detailed significant concerns with reduced transparency, lack of community consultation, and overextension of investigation powers.

“At the outset, please allow me to state that the LNP will not be opposing this bill outright. However, I will be detailing a number of concerns we on this side of the chamber have with particular elements of the bill and with the overall agenda being driven by the Palaszczuk Labor government in this space.”— 2019-04-02View Hansard

Spoke in support of the bill, focusing on amendments to the Queensland Reconstruction Authority Act and the importance of disaster resilience for Queensland as the most disaster-impacted state.

“I rise to speak in support of the Economic Development and Other Legislation Amendment Bill.”— 2019-04-02View Hansard

As committee member, raised concerns about reduced Building Queensland reporting frequency, inadequate consultation with stakeholders, and local government concerns about reduced control in planning matters for PDAs.

“Despite the Palaszczuk government's claim to be an open and accountable government, this amendment would reduce the reporting requirements for Building Queensland by half.”— 2019-04-02View Hansard

Spoke in support, highlighting benefits of PDAs including the Ripley Valley PDA in his electorate and the Albert Street Cross River Rail PDA for infrastructure delivery.

“I rise to speak in support of the Economic Development and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2018.”— 2019-04-02View Hansard

As committee member, acknowledged not opposing the bill but criticised the rushed committee process and concerns about watered down transparency and accountability.

“I note that the opposition will not be opposing the bill. However, the LNP has issues with certain aspects of it.”— 2019-04-02View Hansard

Spoke in support of the bill, defending the Oxley PDA community consultation process in her electorate against opposition criticism.

“I rise today to speak in support of the Economic Development and Other Legislation Amendment Bill.”— 2019-04-02View Hansard

As committee member, stated he would not oppose the bill but opposed several clauses, particularly around reduced Building Queensland reporting and dilution of localised decision-making.

“Although I will not be opposing the passing of the bill, I do oppose several clauses which I will be outlining today.”— 2019-04-02View Hansard

Supported the bill, particularly the Queensland Reconstruction Authority amendments for resilience and the Planning and Environment Court amendments allowing referral to private mediators.

“I support the Economic Development and Other Legislation Amendment Bill and, like the Queensland Law Society, I will confine myself to speaking about just a few clauses.”— 2019-04-02View Hansard

Independent member supported the bill while expressing reservations about reduced Building Queensland reporting frequency and Planning and Environment Court cost provisions affecting local communities.

“In summary, I support this bill; however, I emphasise concerns raised about the need to acknowledge the specific needs of local communities.”— 2019-04-02View Hansard

Criticised the bill for consolidating state power at the expense of local community decision-making, failing to require ministerial consultation with local governments on PDAs.

“At the very heart of this bill is the continuation of Labor's efforts to consolidate their own power at the expense of local community decision-making, all the while failing abysmally to plan for and deliver local infrastructure and services.”— 2019-04-02View Hansard

Spoke strongly in favour of the bill, praising the committee's work and criticising the opposition's statement of reservation as lacking substance.

“I rise to speak in favour of and to support the Economic Development and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2018.”— 2019-04-02View Hansard

Supported the bill while highlighting the lessons from the failed Ipswich CBD redevelopment as an example of how not to do economic development.

“I rise in support of the Economic Development and Other Legislation Amendment Bill and bring to the attention of the House an audit report.”— 2019-04-02View Hansard

Criticised the omnibus bill approach, reduced transparency, and lip-service to local decision-making while raising concerns about reduced Building Queensland reporting affecting regional communities.

“This bill typifies the Labor government's approach to governing. It shows the insincerity of this government in how it administers this state by ramming amendments to eight different acts into one omnibus bill.”— 2019-04-02View Hansard

Supported the bill, focusing on the Building Queensland Act amendments implementing recommendations from an independent review of Building Queensland's operations.

“I rise to speak in support of the Economic Development and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2018.”— 2019-04-02View Hansard

Expressed concerns about infrastructure investment failing to match high-growth planning, criticising the government's $9 billion cut to infrastructure while supporting economic development in principle.

“We all support economic development and good planning, but it is a farce unless it is accompanied by action.”— 2019-04-02View Hansard

Supported the bill as a member of the Planning Institute of Australia, noting the government has listened to industry and stakeholder concerns about operational matters in the Planning Act.

“I am pleased that today we are addressing a number of those operational matters and fixing the bill. The government has listened to what industry, stakeholders and professional associations such as the Planning Institute of Australia had to say.”— 2019-04-02View Hansard

Raised concerns about regional economic development and criticised the government's handling of the Hinkler regional deal while discussing planning impacts on local developments.

“In terms of the amendments to the planning scheme for Burnett Heads, we would remind the minister that in his role as the state planning minister that that town plan has been through seven years of consultation and we need progress.”— 2019-04-02View Hansard

Supported the bill, focusing on how amendments to the Economic Development Act will help complex PDAs like the Greater Flagstone PDA in her electorate accommodate population growth.

“I rise to support the Economic Development and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2018. In particular, I would like to focus my contributions on the proposed amendments to the Economic Development Act 2012 and how they affect priority development areas.”— 2019-04-02View Hansard

Stated the LNP does not oppose the bill in its entirety but has reservations about infrastructure pipeline reporting, community consultation, and increased inspector powers.

“I will say at the outset that, although we on this side do not oppose the bill in its entirety, we have reservations around the preparation of infrastructure pipeline documents and the watering down of community consultation.”— 2019-04-02View Hansard

Supported the bill, speaking about the Fitzgibbon PDA in his electorate and criticising the former government's hypocrisy regarding the project.

“I am happy to speak in support of the Economic Development and Other Legislation Amendment Bill and to speak specifically about amendments related to Economic Development Queensland.”— 2019-04-02View Hansard

Acknowledged necessary parts of the bill but criticised the omnibus approach, lack of consultation time, and concerns about property owner rights and disclosure of economic development progress.

“The LNP acknowledges that there are necessary and good parts of this bill. When it is so intricately tied up, it is not necessarily in the public interests that we oppose it outright, but we do have very serious reservations.”— 2019-04-02View Hansard

Supported the bill, discussing its importance for shaping Queensland's future and the benefits of PDA amendments for her local area.

“I rise in the House to make a contribution in support of the Economic Development and Other Legislation Amendment Bill.”— 2019-04-02View Hansard

Greens member criticised the planning system's shortcomings and the deeply flawed Economic Development Act, but applauded the amendment removing burdensome appeal notification requirements and indicated he would not oppose the bill.

“While the changes to the ED Act proposed in this bill are arguably improvements, they are made in the context of a deeply flawed and very powerful act. This is nothing more than tinkering with an act that was vehemently opposed by the Labor Party in opposition when the Economic Development Bill was introduced by the Newman government.”— 2019-04-02View Hansard

Made a brief critical comment about Greens and Labor planning policies before the debate was guillotined.

“We have just heard why the Greens and the Labor Party get on together—no development and no advancement for this state.”— 2019-04-02View Hansard