Co-operatives National Law Bill 2020

Introduced the bill to adopt nationally harmonised cooperatives legislation, reducing regulatory burden and costs for Queensland's 165 cooperatives.

“Both reports make a single recommendation: that the respective bills be passed. The government welcomes these recommendations.”— 2020-06-16View Hansard

Acknowledged the efficiency measures in the bill and stated the opposition would not oppose it.

“The opposition will not be opposing these two bills because, as the Attorney-General has rightly said, there are important efficiency measures contained in them, whether it be financial reporting, the cutting of red tape or the removal of duplication.”— 2020-06-16View Hansard

Supported the bill to adopt nationally harmonised cooperatives legislation, citing benefits of reduced reporting burden and automatic mutual recognition across jurisdictions.

“Legislation is the only way to achieve the objective of modernising and improving the regulatory framework for cooperatives, principally through nationally harmonised cooperatives laws.”— 2020-06-16View Hansard

Acknowledged the bill is necessary to align Queensland with the Commonwealth and other states, supporting mutuals and cooperatives like the Killarney Co-op.

“I acknowledge that the bill is a necessary action in the machinery of government since we need to align ourselves with the Commonwealth and the other states and territories and we need to have a system that is up to date.”— 2020-06-16View Hansard

Supported Queensland joining the cooperatives national law, criticising the Newman government for previously withdrawing from the national agreement.

“Now we consider the benefits of Queensland co-ops participating in the national agreement under the cooperatives national law, and these include the reduction of reporting for small cooperatives.”— 2020-06-16View Hansard

Supported the bill to modernise the regulatory framework for cooperatives and reduce their regulatory burden.

“The Co-operatives National Law Bill will modernise and improve the regulatory framework for the formation, registration and management of cooperatives by repealing the Cooperatives Act 1997 and adopting the nationally harmonised cooperatives legislation.”— 2020-06-16View Hansard

Strongly supported the cooperatives bill as positive red-tape reduction for cooperatives in his electorate including Maleny Credit Union, Maple Street Co-op and agricultural cooperatives.

“It is fantastic to see this positive red-tape-reduction work in this bill as it pertains to cooperatives. I and the LNP will be supporting it.”— 2020-06-16View Hansard

Supported the bill to repeal the Cooperatives Act 1997 and adopt the cooperatives national law for Queensland's 165 cooperatives.

“The main objective of the bill is to repeal the Cooperatives Act 1997 and, in its place, apply the Co-operatives National Law Bill 2020 and its regulations as the law of Queensland.”— 2020-06-16View Hansard

As Minister for Employment and Small Business, spoke in support of the bill to modernise the regulatory framework for cooperatives and reduce costs, particularly for small co-ops supporting vulnerable Queenslanders.

“Adopting this national regulatory framework for cooperatives will help support the businesses and jobs that use this model.”— 2020-06-16View Hansard

Spoke enthusiastically in support of cooperatives as her favourite business model, highlighting Queensland's history and the benefits of the reforms.

“It may just be that I am a socialist at heart, but cooperatives are one of my favourite business models of choice.”— 2020-06-16View Hansard