State Penalties Enforcement (Modernisation) Amendment Bill 2022

Introduced and defended the bill as necessary to modernise SPER operations, provide stable funding for the RTA, and give 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

Opposed the bill citing Labor's generational failure managing SPER debt, criticising the lack of consultation on the RTA funding changes, and arguing the government was seeking to use rental bonds to shore up its balance sheet.

“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 bill's reforms to SPER debt recovery, body worn cameras for officers, and the RTA funding changes to guarantee the security of rental bonds.

“It is really sensible that we say to renters, who value their bonds, that we hold their assets securely and that we will act as guarantor to ensure they get their bonds back at the end of the rental period.”— 2022-05-24View Hansard

Opposed the bill, alleging the RTA funding change was a scheme to use renters' bond money to avoid a credit rating downgrade, and criticised Labor's long-term mismanagement of SPER debt.

“There is one provision in the bill that I am totally uncomfortable with. It is 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

As a committee member, supported the bill's integration of fine administration functions, reduced registration timeframes, body worn cameras for SPER officers, and cost recovery provisions.

“Whilst SPER has, and always has had, problems in terms of cost recovery, I look at the fact that previously the cost to the community of incarcerating people in our watch houses for days on end for not paying a parking fine was far greater.”— 2022-05-24View Hansard

Opposed the bill, arguing the Treasurer's real game was to take the long-term investment returns from the RTA's billion-dollar bond fund and keep everything above the cost of running the RTA.

“I put it to members that what the deal is here and what they want is to take the opportunity away from the RTA to take those long-term returns, those forever returns, and use them to benefit renters in Queensland.”— 2022-05-24View Hansard

Supported the bill's new RTA funding model as more reliable and stable, and highlighted the beneficial treatment of special disability trusts under the land tax amendments.

“This will ensure the RTA is able to continue to deliver essential services and support to the rental sector without being concerned about the impact of volatile investment markets.”— 2022-05-24View Hansard

Opposed the bill, criticising the lack of consultation on the RTA funding changes and characterising them as a blatant money grab, while noting the government's poor record on SPER debt recovery.

“The lack of transparency and question marks around the government's motives for some of the amendments are nothing but a blatant attempt to hoodwink Queenslanders and that is why the LNP will not be supporting the legislation.”— 2022-05-24View Hansard

Supported the bill's modernisation of the fines system and RTA funding model, emphasising the efficiency gains from centralising fine administration and earlier registration of default certificates.

“Queensland taxpayers expect that if someone owes them money it should be paid back. We want people to pay what they owe and to pay it back as soon as possible after they incur the fine.”— 2022-05-24View Hansard

Opposed the bill, citing both the REIQ's and Tenants Queensland's strong opposition to the RTA amendments and the lack of stakeholder consultation.

“Tenants Queensland criticised the lack of consultation. We on this side of the House have heard that time and time again when it comes to bills brought before the chamber.”— 2022-05-24View Hansard

Supported the bill as a sensible reform to ensure the RTA does not need to rely on volatile investment markets, and backed the integration of fine administration functions.

“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, raising concerns about SPER's failure to recover court-ordered restitution for victims of crime and criticising the government's plan to move rental bond money into consolidated revenue.

“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's integration of fine administration functions and the RTA funding reforms, emphasising the record SPER debt recovery projected under the government.

“SPER debt recovery under this government is projected to reach an all-time high of $300.4 million in the 2021-22 financial year.”— 2022-05-24View Hansard

Opposed the bill's RTA changes as a solution to a non-existent problem with no proper consultation, and criticised the Treasurer's arrogance in sending a warning letter to the shadow Treasurer.

“There has never been any suggestion that the current financial model adopted by the RTA is anything but stable and reliable. There are no instances of the RTA failing to pay a bond, so why is the Treasurer doing this?”— 2022-05-24View Hansard