Trading (Allowable Hours) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill simplifies Queensland's retail trading hours framework by reducing the number of trading area categories and strengthening protections for retail workers who do not 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 rather than in person.
Who it affects
Retail workers gain stronger protections against being pressured to work extended hours, with employer penalties for coercion. School communities benefit from permanent flexible meeting options, particularly in regional and remote areas.
Retail trading hours reform
Streamlines the trading hours framework by reducing area categories from five to four, while strengthening worker protections against being forced to work extended hours. The Mossman and Port Douglas area is reclassified as a Type 1 tourist zone with longer permitted trading hours.
- Trading area categories reduced from five to four types, with simplified names
- Mossman and Port Douglas reclassified as a tourist area with longer trading hours (up to 10pm on weekdays)
- New offence created for employers who coerce, harass, threaten or intimidate workers to work extended hours (16-20 penalty units)
- Worker protections against forced extended hours now apply regardless of industrial awards or agreements
- Clear criteria set for the QIRC to declare special events that allow extended trading (such as the 2032 Olympics)
- Two moratoriums on trading hours changes extended until 31 August 2023
Education sector remote meetings
Makes permanent the temporary COVID-19 arrangements that allow certain education meetings to be conducted remotely. This supports P&C associations and the Queensland College of Teachers to operate more flexibly.
- P&C association meetings can be held via videoconference or teleconference permanently
- Queensland College of Teachers investigation meetings can be conducted by audio or video link
- Documents required for teacher investigations can be submitted by email or post instead of in person
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
▸Committee25 May 2022 – 18 Aug 2022View Hansard
Referred to Education, Employment and Training Committee
▸Second Reading17 Aug 2022 – 18 Aug 2022View Hansard
Strongly opposed elements of the bill, arguing Labor was destroying small business communities. Criticised the committee process and foreshadowed amendments to protect independent grocers and small businesses from the expansion of trading hours.
“There are many points in that statement of reservation that do not support elements of this bill, including some of the nine recommendations.”— 2022-08-17View Hansard