Personal Injuries Proceedings and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022

Supported the bill, particularly the reforms to terminal benefits payments and the extension of the eligibility period.

“It is my hope that this will bring a sense of relief to those affected by this proposal.”— 2022-06-22View Hansard

As Attorney-General, moved the second reading and commended the bill, highlighting its objectives to stop claim farming, prevent undesirable costs agreement practices, and ensure terminally ill workers receive compensation when needed.

“I want to end my contribution today by assuring parliament that the claim-farming amendments included in the bill will not affect the rights of genuinely injured Queenslanders to access justice.”— 2022-06-21View Hansard

Supported the bill after writing a dissenting report seeking a five-year terminal payout timeframe, which the minister agreed to amend.

“I thank the minister for responding to this and rectifying, through amendments, not only the time frame but also the retrospective nature of it.”— 2022-06-22View Hansard

Supported the bill's objectives on claim farming and costs agreements but heavily criticised the government's drafting, late amendments, and the handling of terminal compensation provisions, describing the bill as a 'shemozzle'.

“While some of these objectives, such as stopping claim farming and preventing undesirable costs agreements, are sensible and desirable, they are handled poorly in this bill as it was presented to this House.”— 2022-06-21View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill as Minister for Industrial Relations, highlighting Queensland as the first workers compensation scheme to legislate against claim farming and the extension to five years for terminal illness benefits.

“I am proud that the Palaszczuk government reinstated these rights. We have improved compensation to support workers with coal workers' pneumoconiosis and other work related dust lung diseases.”— 2022-06-22View Hansard

As committee chair, spoke in support of the bill and the amendments to be moved, emphasising the need to stop claim farming which causes distress to vulnerable community members.

“Submitters on the issue of claim farming unanimously condemned the practice, with Kare Lawyers noting that claim farming is abhorrent, it brings the profession into disrepute, threatens the viability of our insurance schemes, and causes unnecessary distress to potentially vulnerable members of the community.”— 2022-06-21View Hansard

Supported the bill, condemning claim farming practices especially survivor farming targeting abuse survivors, and praising the committee system's effectiveness.

“Nothing could be more disgraceful, nothing could be more unethical and few things could be more exploitative than some of these practices.”— 2022-06-22View Hansard

Indicated the LNP would not oppose the bill but strongly criticised the government for having to repeatedly amend legislation, particularly the Minister for Industrial Relations' handling of terminal compensation provisions.

“They cannot even get their amendments right at the time when they are fixing up their mistake from 2019.”— 2022-06-21View Hansard

Supported the bill's measures to stop claim farming and protect vulnerable people from predatory practices.

“They are targeting people when they are at a low point in their life when they need to be protected from insidious and unscrupulous behaviour.”— 2022-06-22View Hansard

As a committee member, spoke in support of the bill while acknowledging stakeholder concerns about terminal condition provisions and retrospectivity, expressing satisfaction that the government had listened to these concerns.

“After hearing these people and hearing the victims through their industrial representatives, I am very pleased to be able to say that the ministers and this government have heard you.”— 2022-06-21View Hansard

Supported the bill's measures against claim farming while raising concerns about complexity of the law practice certificate regime.

“Claim farming is abhorrent, brings the profession into disrepute, threatens the viability of our insurance schemes.”— 2022-06-22View Hansard

Supported the bill's objectives on claim farming but raised key concerns about the complexity of the law practice certificate regime and the handling of terminal workers compensation provisions, criticising the government's 'sloppy' drafting.

“I remain very concerned that the legal practice certificate regime, as drafted by this bill, may not achieve its objectives. I urge the government to monitor closely the effectiveness of compliance and enforcement to ensure the bill achieves its objectives of stamping out claim farming.”— 2022-06-21View Hansard

Supported the bill and its measures to combat claim farming and protect workers.

“The provisions contained in the bill will prohibit the harassing calls and intimidating behaviour associated with claim farming.”— 2022-06-22View Hansard

As a committee member, spoke in support of the bill, emphasising the exploitative nature of claim farming particularly targeting survivors of historic child sexual abuse claims.

“This is exploitative. We heard no evidence that they are referring victims to support services. What they are doing is referring them to a legal firm to make an application for compensation which they may or may not receive, and if they do receive a payment it will be substantial fees removed for form filling.”— 2022-06-21View Hansard

Did not oppose the bill but criticised the electoral donation cap amendments as potentially harmful to minor parties like KAP.

“This is not about creating a level playing field; it is about getting rid of a separate voice in this parliament.”— 2022-06-22View Hansard

As Attorney-General, delivered the reply commending the bill for stamping out claim farming and extending terminal illness benefits to five years.

“The bill is a further testament to the Palaszczuk government's commitment to stamp out the insidious practice of claim farming in Queensland.”— 2022-06-22View Hansard