Police Service Administration (Discipline Reform) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2019

Outlined the bill's key objectives including reducing delays in discipline investigations and modernising sanctions. Noted bipartisan support from all key stakeholders.

“This bill has bipartisan support from the LNP and all key stakeholders, including the Queensland Police Service, the Queensland Police Union of Employees, the Queensland Police Commissioned Officers' Union of Employees, government representatives and representatives of the legal fraternity.”— 2019-10-17View Hansard

Supported the bill's reforms to the police discipline system but used his speech to argue that inadequate police resourcing contributes to discipline breaches, drawing repeated rulings from the Deputy Speaker.

“I believe this bill strikes a balance between enhancing efficiencies within the police discipline framework while setting appropriate sanctions for those who need to be held to account for their actions.”— 2019-10-16View Hansard

As Minister for Police, introduced and championed the bill as the most significant reform to police discipline in 30 years, praising bipartisan cooperation and stakeholder collaboration.

“This bill moves our police discipline system from a model that only imposed punitive measures to a model that corrects, instructs and enhances officer behaviour.”— 2019-10-15View Hansard

Spoke as a member of the Parliamentary Crime and Corruption Committee, supporting the bill's reforms to the police discipline system. Emphasised the CCC's enhanced oversight role and the importance of body worn cameras.

“This important bill before us supports a strong culture of continued transparency and integrity for the Queensland Police Service.”— 2019-10-17View Hansard

Commended the government for fulfilling its 2015 election promise to reform the police discipline system, highlighting improvements to the Crime and Corruption Act and the introduction of rehabilitative approaches alongside punitive sanctions.

“Through the bill's amendments—specifically, those that I have outlined—I am confident that the police bill will address the lack of consistency in decisions, as well as the general lack of public and officer confidence.”— 2019-10-16View Hansard

As opposition spokesperson, welcomed the bill with bipartisan support, praising the modernised sanctions, reduced delays and the collaborative stakeholder process.

“This bill has bipartisan support from the LNP and all key stakeholders. That is really important, because the institution of the QPS is so important to the governance of Queensland that all stakeholders were involved.”— 2019-10-15View Hansard

As a former detective, welcomed the reforms addressing lengthy delays in the discipline system which had become a punishment in themselves. Noted the reforms were long overdue and supported by the QPS and Queensland Police Union.

“In the past the process has become a punishment in itself. We have lost countless hours of policing due to sick leave from officers unable to mentally cope with the process itself.”— 2019-10-17View Hansard

Welcomed the bill as a long-overdue reform, drawing on his experience as former shadow police minister and noting that delays in the existing system had harmed police officers and their families.

“This bill has bipartisan support from the LNP and all key stakeholders, including the Queensland Police Service, the Queensland Police Union of Employees, the Queensland Police Commissioned Officers' Union of Employees, government representatives and representatives of the legal fraternity.”— 2019-10-16View Hansard

Supported the bill as a better way forward for dealing with disciplinary matters expeditiously to maintain the high integrity and community respect for the police.

“This bill, which we support, will further enshrine a better way forward to deal with disciplinary matters that arise from time to time.”— 2019-10-15View Hansard

Supported the bill's modernisation of disciplinary sanctions and new professional development strategies. Congratulated the QPS, Police Union, CCC and opposition for bipartisan cooperation.

“I would like to congratulate the QPS, the Queensland Police Union, the CCC and the opposition for their bipartisan cooperation on this bill.”— 2019-10-17View Hansard

Supported the bill as an Economics and Governance Committee member, praising the extensive consultation process led by CCC chair Alan MacSporran and the successful trial of reforms prior to legislation.

“I, too, believe this bill will result in a fairer and more effective disciplinary process for our Queensland Police Service.”— 2019-10-16View Hansard

Supported the bill as building on the work of the Fitzgerald report, emphasising the importance of robust legislation for both community confidence and natural justice for officers.

“Without robust legislation and without a comprehensive and effective police discipline system, there is a risk of the community's confidence in our police force being eroded.”— 2019-10-15View Hansard

As a former senior sergeant, spoke from firsthand experience about the failings of the old discipline system. Emphasised the bipartisan approach to developing the bill and welcomed the new system's focus on professional development rather than purely punitive measures.

“I am pleased to say that this new system will bring the Queensland Police Service into line with modern management practices.”— 2019-10-17View Hansard

Supported the bill, sharing the personal story of a police officer friend whose career was stymied by a drawn-out investigation in which he was ultimately cleared, arguing the reforms would prevent such injustices.

“If somebody does wrong and they are a law enforcement officer, there should be no wriggle room at all. They are charged with setting the standard for our community. But where somebody has not done wrong and where an investigation drips on for months and years, that impacts on people and families.”— 2019-10-16View Hansard

Supported the bill as a committee member, praising the modernised sanctions, reduced time frames and educational activities to improve police performance.

“These amendments modernise and expand the range of disciplinary sanctions, reducing time frames and formalising educational activities to improve performance.”— 2019-10-15View Hansard

Supported the bill's objectives of reducing delays and modernising sanctions. Used the opportunity to raise local policing resource concerns in his electorate.

“The LNP supports and welcomes the bill, which condenses a revised police discipline system and has been negotiated with bipartisan support.”— 2019-10-17View Hansard

As chair of the Economics and Governance Committee, reported the committee recommended the bill be passed, emphasising the cost of lengthy discipline processes to officers, families and the community.

“Whether a police officer is cleared, as was the case for the friend of the member for Broadwater, or is found to require some form of disciplinary action, if the process takes an inordinate amount of time it represents a great cost.”— 2019-10-16View Hansard

As a former police officer, strongly supported the bill, particularly the expanded sanctions including professional development strategies and the new time frames for investigations.

“A mature organisation seeks to correct the behaviour of its members and provide opportunity for that correction to manifest itself before it cuts its losses.”— 2019-10-15View Hansard

As a former police officer with 23 years' service and former peer support officer, supported the reforms particularly the strict timelines for investigations which were a major concern for officers under the old system.

“One of the biggest concerns of officers who are under investigation has been the extraordinary length of time taken to commence or finalise investigations.”— 2019-10-17View Hansard

Supported the bill as a committee member with personal insight into the need for reform, welcoming the reduced delays, modernised sanctions and new professional development strategies.

“The current discipline system is overly complex and does not enjoy the confidence of members of the public, nor members of the Police Service.”— 2019-10-15View Hansard

Supported the bill as necessary to restore public confidence in the police discipline system. Reflected on lessons from the Fitzgerald inquiry and the need for ongoing review of police accountability.

“I do commend the minister for placing the bill before the House. It is a good bill.”— 2019-10-17View Hansard

As a former police officer who served under the 1990 Act, welcomed the long overdue reforms. Emphasised the devastating personal impact of lengthy investigations on officers and their families, including loss of good officers from the service.

“Unfortunately, we lost a lot of good police officers because of those delays in finalising police investigations and police complaints.”— 2019-10-17View Hansard