Child Protection (Offender Reporting and Offender Prohibition Order) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022

Supports the original child protection bill but moved an amendment to refer the government's 57 pages of amendments back to committee for proper scrutiny. Argued the rushed process is an affront to parliamentary democracy.

“Let me be very clear: the LNP opposition supports the Child Protection (Offender Reporting and Offender Prohibition Order) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022 in its original form and will vote to support it.”— 2023-08-24View Hansard

As the Minister who introduced the bill, strongly supports it as essential legislation to protect children by giving police additional detection and enforcement powers against child sex offenders who use technology to offend.

“This bill exemplifies the government's commitment to providing our dedicated officers from the Child Protection Offender Registry and Task Force Argos with a legislative framework that is agile and responsive to technology.”— 2023-08-23View Hansard

Supports the opposition amendment to refer the bill back to committee. Criticised the government for rushing through significant changes including to the criminal law, Summary Offences Act, prostitution act, and Youth Justice Act without proper scrutiny.

“These are significant changes—changes to the criminal law, changes to the Summary Offences Act, changes to the prostitution act, changes to the Youth Justice Act, changes to the Supreme Court of Queensland Act, changes to police banning notices.”— 2023-08-24View Hansard

Supports the child protection elements of the bill but strongly criticised the government for dropping extensive amendments with only 17 minutes notice without committee scrutiny, and announced the LNP would reconsider their position on the bill.

“For this minister to come into this place and drop those amendments with no notice, no consultation, no briefing whatsoever is an absolute disgrace!”— 2023-08-23View Hansard

Supports the original bill but strongly opposes the rushed inclusion of Mineral Resources Act amendments concerning Glenden. Argued these amendments have no urgency and should go through proper committee scrutiny.

“This is a sad day for Queensland politics. This is an abuse of parliamentary privilege on a grand scale.”— 2023-08-24View Hansard

As Minister for Youth Justice, supports the bill and defended the amendments relating to youth detention, explaining they address capacity issues while the government builds new detention centres.

“Young people who offend will be held accountable. We are building two new therapeutic youth detention centres at Woodford and Cairns, to be operational, as I said, by 2026 to further increase capacity.”— 2023-08-23View Hansard

As Police Minister, defended the amendments as urgent and technical in nature, requested by agencies including QPS. Argued the amendments address critical matters including child protection, police operations, and the Glenden community.

“I cannot predict how changing technology will impact child sexual offending in the future, but I can assure the people of Queensland that I will continue to advocate in this House for the protection of all children by holding those who seek to harm them accountable for their behaviour.”— 2023-08-24View Hansard

Supports the child protection monitoring provisions but expressed serious concerns about the late amendments decriminalising public offences being introduced without proper committee scrutiny or preparation of support services.

“If we are going to repeal these provisions, the community should understand the ramifications. The bill should have gone to a committee.”— 2023-08-23View Hansard

Strongly supports the bill and amendments, including decriminalisation of public intoxication and begging. Criticised the LNP's record on monitoring sex offenders and accused them of spreading fear about youth crime.

“On this side of the House we do protect the more vulnerable in our community, and one of the most vulnerable elements of our community is children. We stand strongly against anyone who aims to harm a child physically, sexually or emotionally.”— 2023-08-24View Hansard

As committee chair, supports the bill as it provides police with necessary powers to detect and disrupt child sex offenders using technology, and welcomes the government's approach to decriminalising public space offences.

“Those of us on this side of the House will always work to ensure security, safety and equitable treatment for our most vulnerable.”— 2023-08-23View Hansard

Supports the bill to help police detect and prevent child sexual offending online. Also supports the Glenden mining amendments to prevent the town becoming a ghost town.

“Police need to be provided with the power to monitor online activities and inspect digital devices to detect and prevent this predatory criminal behaviour.”— 2023-08-24View Hansard

Strongly opposes the bill primarily due to the youth justice amendments that suspend the Human Rights Act to allow detention of children in watch houses, calling it a disgraceful last-minute move without committee scrutiny.

“All of those rights are being stripped away by amendments that the government introduced at the eleventh hour—at 30 seconds to midnight—with no committee scrutiny, with no community consultation.”— 2023-08-23View Hansard

Supports the original bill but opposes the amendments and the rushed process. Criticised the government for trampling the Human Rights Act they themselves introduced, particularly regarding children in watch houses.

“I want to be crystal clear that I support the Child Protection (Offender Reporting and Offender Prohibition Order) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022 as originally presented with no amendments.”— 2023-08-24View Hansard

Supports the bill to protect children from online predators and welcomes the decriminalisation of public offences, noting their disproportionate impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“It breaks my heart every single time I pick up a newspaper or scroll through socials and read another story about individuals in our communities committing horrific acts on children.”— 2023-08-23View Hansard

Supports the bill and amendments. While acknowledging watch houses are not ideal for children, argued the alternative of young offenders committing violent crimes is worse. Drew on her experience with victims of crime.

“I say to the member for Maiwar: if it comes down to a choice between visiting a child in one of these two places, I know which one I would pick every day of the week.”— 2023-08-24View Hansard

Criticised the government for dropping 57 pages of amendments with minimal notice, expressed concerns about youth justice provisions, and disagreed with decriminalising public offences like urination and intoxication.

“Those tawdry comparisons aside, that represents a betrayal of the proper process for legislation in this state.”— 2023-08-23View Hansard

As shadow minister for child protection, supports the original bill but criticises amendments for not incorporating CCC recommendations on protecting children. Notes the MAC address provision was unworkable due to technology changes.

“While the opposition supports the original bill before us—there is no greater priority than protecting our children—we have found some issues with the amendments.”— 2023-08-24View Hansard

Supports the bill as it modernises the child protection scheme by targeting emerging technologies used by offenders and increasing reporting obligations for high-risk offenders.

“Our government and the community's message to child sex offenders is: you are not welcome in Queensland. Do not come here. Do not offend here. Our laws are the toughest in the nation.”— 2023-08-23View Hansard

As a former police officer, supports the bill and amendments. Provided detailed explanation of how public intoxication decriminalisation builds on existing police powers and practices, drawing on experience in Surfers Paradise.

“The one thing that a police officer generally does not want to do is have somebody in custody. If there is a way they can deal with a public order job that does not involve paperwork, police are all for it.”— 2023-08-24View Hansard

While supporting some child protection provisions, cannot support the bill overall due to the government ignoring CCC recommendations and tabling extensive amendments without notice or consultation.

“Whilst I do support some of the specific amendments in relation to the CPOR bill, due to the number of amendments that were tabled without notice by the minister I am not in a position at this stage to support this bill.”— 2023-08-23View Hansard

Supports the original bill's measures against sex offenders but strongly opposes the 57 pages of amendments rushed through without scrutiny. Accused the government of trying to hide something.

“At the outset let me state that I support the measures contained in the original bill. Any measures that we can take to stop sex offenders from committing their heinous acts should be implemented and they should be supported.”— 2023-08-24View Hansard

As Minister for Resources, spoke specifically in support of the amendments to the Mineral Resources Act that will require Byerwen mine workers to transition to accommodation in Glenden to support the town's long-term viability.

“Ultimately, the amendments seek to provide a fair and balanced approach to securing a long-term future for both the Byerwen mine and the town of Glenden.”— 2023-08-23View Hansard

Supports the bill and all amendments, particularly youth justice amendments. Argued serious violent repeat offenders belong in custody and criticised the Greens for being out of touch with community concerns about crime.

“There is only one place that serious violent repeat offenders belong, and that is in custody.”— 2023-08-24View Hansard

Passionate about child safety and acknowledges merit in some provisions, but strongly criticised the lack of consultation and committee scrutiny of the 57 pages of amendments tabled with only 17 minutes notice.

“In this parliament we have one legislative chamber, so we rely heavily on our committee system to scrutinise legislation and get community feedback about legislation.”— 2023-08-23View Hansard

Supports the child protection offender legislation but opposes the rushed amendments. Paid tribute to child safety advocates including Bruce and Denise Morcombe and Carol Ronken from Bravehearts.

“I support the child protection offender legislation, but I am so disappointed that these other amendments have been shoved in with no opportunity for us to respond and no real opportunity for public scrutiny.”— 2023-08-24View Hansard

Strongly supports the bill as it gives police additional powers to detect, investigate and catch child sex offenders using technology, and contrasts this with the LNP's record of cutting police monitoring.

“These are vile offenders that have evil in their hearts. That is the primary objective of this bill.”— 2023-08-23View Hansard