State Penalties Enforcement (Modernisation) Amendment Bill 2022

As Treasurer and bill sponsor, strongly defended the reforms as necessary to improve SPER debt recovery, provide stable funding for the RTA, and deliver beneficial land tax treatment to special disability trusts.

“At the heart of this bill are two binding principles: that people should pay what they owe; and that people are paid what they are owed.”— 2022-05-24View Hansard

As shadow Treasurer, opposed the bill citing Labor's 20-year mismanagement of SPER, the government's failure to consult stakeholders on RTA changes, and concerns about the government taking control of rental bonds.

“For those reasons and for the government's appalling record when it comes to SPER—a generational failure of record—the opposition will be opposing this bill.”— 2022-05-24View Hansard

As committee chair, supported the reforms noting SPER debt recovery improvements, the Ipswich debt management centre's success, and the need to secure renters' bonds from volatile investment markets.

“We are ensuring that there is security over a renter's bond and that it will be returned to them.”— 2022-05-24View Hansard

Strongly opposed the bill, particularly the RTA changes, arguing the government is taking control of rental bonds to manipulate balance sheet figures and avoid a credit rating downgrade.

“I am totally uncomfortable with the removal of the RTA board's independence when it comes to holding renters' bond money and passing control of that almost $1 billion worth of rent payers' money to a tricky-fingered Labor government.”— 2022-05-24View Hansard

Supported the bill focusing on SPER reforms including integration of fine administration functions, earlier debt registration, body worn cameras for enforcement officers, and cost recovery mechanisms.

“I prefer a SPER debt managed by this state and not bodies in custody.”— 2022-05-24View Hansard

Opposed the bill, arguing the Treasurer wants to take the billion dollars in rental bonds to capture long-term investment returns instead of allowing the RTA to use those returns to benefit renters.

“That is the game this Treasurer is playing. He wants all of the returns from the billion dollars and the ever-growing billion dollars—it will be $2 billion one day and so it will go on—and he will give them a peppercorn amount to run their operations.”— 2022-05-24View Hansard

Supported the bill, emphasising the RTA's need for stable funding away from volatile investment markets, and praising the special disability trust reforms as a great outcome for vulnerable Queenslanders.

“These changes will not impact renters or landlords. I will repeat that—they will not impact renters or landlords.”— 2022-05-24View Hansard

Opposed the bill citing lack of consultation on RTA changes, opposition from REIQ and Tenants Queensland, and concerns about the government's motives for overhauling the RTA funding model.

“The government's complete lack of transparency needs to be exposed. Queenslanders deserve and expect much better and that is why I will not be supporting the bill.”— 2022-05-24View Hansard

Supported the bill highlighting improvements to SPER administration, body worn cameras for enforcement officers, and the need for stable RTA funding given the 2019-20 investment losses.

“The changes proposed will provide a more stable, consistent and reliable funding approach for the RTA's operations through an annual grant from the Consolidated Fund.”— 2022-05-24View Hansard

Opposed the bill citing lack of stakeholder consultation, concerns from Tenants Queensland and REIQ, and Labour's ongoing failure to manage SPER debt effectively.

“This bill is absolutely no exception. Tenants Queensland asserted that the changes will remove the autonomy of the industry regulator and destroy a self-funded model that has stood the test of time.”— 2022-05-24View Hansard

Supported the bill arguing it provides sensible and cautious protection of tenants' bonds by guaranteeing them through consolidated revenue rather than exposing them to volatile investment markets.

“It seems the LNP would prefer the RTA to play the market and risk tenants' bonds in an ever-changing global economy, rather than have the funds guaranteed by the backing of consolidated revenue.”— 2022-05-24View Hansard

Opposed the bill, criticising the government for failing victims of crime awaiting SPER restitution payments and for taking rental bonds into consolidated revenue without transparency about how investment income will be used.

“I do not trust this dodgy government. I do not trust them when they go away from a self-funded model, put it into consolidated revenue and say that it is for the good of everyone else.”— 2022-05-24View Hansard

Supported the bill emphasising the integration of fine administration functions, body worn cameras for SPER officers, and clarifying that RTA changes will have no effect on the state's balance sheet.

“It has been made extremely clear by the Treasurer that this will have no effect on the balance sheet of the state.”— 2022-05-24View Hansard

Strongly opposed the RTA changes as a solution to a non-existent problem, criticising lack of consultation with REIQ, Tenants Queensland and the RTA, and the Treasurer's arrogance in warning opposition members.

“What did the REIQ say? They said—'We consider these proposed changes to be extreme, unjustified and unnecessary.'”— 2022-05-24View Hansard