Trading (Allowable Hours) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022
Bill Journey
Referred to Education, Employment and Training Committee
Referred to Education, Employment and Training Committee
Referred to Community Support and Services Committee
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill simplifies Queensland's retail trading hours framework and strengthens protections for retail workers who don't want to work extended hours. It also makes permanent the COVID-era arrangements allowing school P&C meetings and teacher registration investigations to be conducted by video call.
Who it affects
Retail workers gain stronger protections against being pressured to work Sundays and public holidays. School communities benefit from flexible meeting options, particularly in regional and remote areas.
Retail trading hours
Streamlines the trading hours framework by reducing area categories from five to four, while strengthening worker protections. The Mossman and Port Douglas area is reclassified as a tourist zone with longer permitted hours.
- Trading area categories reduced from five to four types
- Mossman and Port Douglas reclassified as tourist area with longer hours
- New offence created for employers who coerce workers to work extended hours
- Worker protections now apply regardless of industrial awards
- Two moratoriums on trading hours changes extended until August 2023
Education sector meetings
Makes permanent the temporary COVID-19 arrangements that allow certain education meetings to be conducted remotely via video or phone call.
- P&C association meetings can be held via videoconference or teleconference
- Queensland College of Teachers investigation meetings can be conducted remotely
- Documents required for teacher investigations can be submitted electronically