Health and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
Referred to Economics and Governance Committee
▸23 members spoke22 support1 mixed
Spoke in favour of the bill, particularly supporting changes to the Mental Health Review Tribunal recording of proceedings and the flexibility it provides.
“This was a complex bill, and I want to thank the department in particular for their dedicated work with the committee as we worked through it as well as all of the submitters who took such time and care to explain the context. I commend the bill to the House.”— 2023-04-19View Hansard
As Minister for Health, moved the second reading and outlined the bill's provisions to improve staff wellbeing protections, modernise the Queensland Cancer Register, and streamline Mental Health Review Tribunal processes.
“The amendments in this bill are designed to ensure Queenslanders have access to high-quality health care, up-to-date practices and streamlined procedures. They also aim to promote healthy and supportive work environments to safeguard the mental health and wellbeing of our doctors, nurses, midwives, allied health professionals and our administrative and support staff working in hospitals.”— 2023-04-18View Hansard
Supported the bill on behalf of the LNP while raising concerns about whether it would address underlying causes of health worker burnout and bullying, citing AMAQ surveys showing 40% of doctors reporting bullying.
“I rise along with my colleagues to not oppose this bill.”— 2023-04-19View Hansard
As shadow health spokesperson, confirmed the LNP will not oppose the bill. While supporting the technical amendments, criticised the government for not addressing root causes of health worker burnout such as ambulance ramping, bed shortages, and system capacity issues.
“To be clear from the very start, the LNP will not be opposing this bill. It is not a controversial piece of legislation by any stretch of the imagination which is why the opposition will not stand in the way of the provisions included as part of the bill.”— 2023-04-18View Hansard
Strongly supported the bill as enshrining in legislation that the physical and psychological health, safety and wellbeing of the public health workforce is appropriately prioritised.
“I am pleased to support the Health and Other Legislation Amendment Bill. The Palaszczuk government is strongly focused on delivering quality healthcare reforms that improve health outcomes for future generations of Queenslanders.”— 2023-04-19View Hansard
As committee chair with 35 years health background, strongly supported the bill's staff wellbeing measures and amendments regarding security officer powers, cancer register modernisation, and vision screening for school children.
“I would like to thank and acknowledge all of my fellow committee members... We recommended that the bill be passed and I thank the minister for responding to the other four recommendations in her earlier contribution.”— 2023-04-18View Hansard
Supported the bill as implementing key policy initiatives to support better public health outcomes and ensuring health legislation is contemporary and effective.
“The Palaszczuk government is committed to ensuring that all Queenslanders have the highest quality public health care. This bill will have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of the people of Queensland.”— 2023-04-19View Hansard
Supported the bill as a committee member, noting the LNP made no dissenting report. While acknowledging the commonsense amendments, questioned whether new wellbeing obligations duplicate existing Work Health and Safety Act requirements and raised concerns about workforce burnout evident in Queensland Audit Office reports.
“While these modifications aim to enhance our healthcare system—I note that the LNP will not oppose the bill; in fact, we made no dissenting report or statement of reservation—we must acknowledge that these amendments will not resolve the core issues affecting our health system and its workforce.”— 2023-04-18View Hansard
Supported the bill's amendments to strengthen protections for healthcare worker wellbeing and facilitate electronic recording of Mental Health Review Tribunal proceedings, though expressed some concern about exceptions to recording requirements.
“The bill's changes will greatly help to rebuild the morale, confidence and resilience of workers following the traumatic experience of the last few years and will better protect workers in the future.”— 2023-04-19View Hansard
As a committee member, supported the bill's amendments to strengthen health worker protections, modernise the Queensland Cancer Register with expanded notification requirements, and enable electronic recording of Mental Health Review Tribunal proceedings.
“The bill itself will make important changes to the Hospital and Health Boards Act to strengthen protections for the physical and psychological wellbeing of workers in Queensland public health services, including clinical, administrative and operational staff.”— 2023-04-18View Hansard
Supported the bill, focusing particularly on organ donation provisions that align private hospital consent processes with public hospitals to increase successful donations.
“I rise to speak in support of the Health and Other Legislation Amendment Bill and want to speak mainly to the provisions that are very close to my heart and the hearts of many other Queenslanders, and that is organ donation.”— 2023-04-19View Hansard
As a registered dental surgeon, supported the bill's technical amendments and modernisations. Highlighted his personal history with water fluoridation legislation and supported the recommendation to make basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas notifiable cancers.
“This bill deals with changes that are largely technical but go towards strengthening our health system in Queensland. I support any initiatives that promote better health in our community.”— 2023-04-18View Hansard
Supported the bill while criticising the government's handling of Caboolture Hospital issues, citing independent review findings of poor leadership, lack of trust and transparency leading to poor morale.
“I also note, as the shadow minister for health has alluded to, that the LNP will not be opposing this legislation.”— 2023-04-19View Hansard
As a committee member, emphasised the importance of health worker wellbeing protections given increased demands on the public health system. Supported the modernisation of the Queensland Cancer Register and changes to Mental Health Review Tribunal proceedings.
“Very importantly for our Palaszczuk Labor government, the amendments in this bill primarily seek to deliver better protections for our healthcare workers to whom we all owe so much as we come out the other side of an unprecedented global pandemic.”— 2023-04-18View Hansard
Supported the bill as implementing key policy initiatives for better public health outcomes, highlighting amendments to support health worker wellbeing and vision screening programs.
“I rise to speak in support of the Health and Other Legislation Amendment Bill.”— 2023-04-19View Hansard
Supported the bill's administrative changes while raising concerns about doctor shortages in Western Queensland, particularly the lack of permanent doctors at the new Blackall Hospital.
“I support this bill which makes some administrative changes to a variety of acts within the health portfolio.”— 2023-04-19View Hansard
Strongly supported the bill as reflecting the government's attitude of valuing health workers, highlighting COVID-19 pressures and the need to support staff through wellbeing activities.
“The Health and Other Legislation Amendment Bill reflects this government's attitude and the health minister's attitude that we must value our health workers.”— 2023-04-19View Hansard
Supported the bill as commonsense while raising concerns about doctor shortages at small hospitals and ambulance ramping at Ipswich Hospital creating stress for health workers.
“The LNP will not be opposing this bill. As other members have noted, it is a commonsense bill in many respects and there are elements of the bill which we acknowledge to be common sense and modernisations across the portfolio.”— 2023-04-19View Hansard
Supported the bill, highlighting amendments for vision screening programs and modernisation of the Queensland Cancer Register.
“I would like to support the Health and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022. The bill will amend a number of Health portfolio acts to better support the delivery of high-quality, responsive health care in Queensland.”— 2023-04-19View Hansard
Welcomed the intent of requiring hospital boards to consider worker wellbeing but criticised it as inadequate, arguing the government fails to address systemic underfunding, understaffing, insecure contracts, and the housing crisis affecting healthcare workers.
“This bill is pretty typical of lots of bills that we see from this government: some small, simple measures mostly beneficial, aimed at improving a range of health acts but without ever coming close to addressing the real issues which we are facing in our healthcare system here in Queensland.”— 2023-04-19View Hansard
Supported the bill as strengthening protections for frontline healthcare workers, acknowledging West Moreton Health staff and their work during the pandemic.
“I am very happy to rise and contribute to the debate to support a bill which supports and helps strengthen protections for our frontline healthcare workers.”— 2023-04-19View Hansard
Supported measures to protect health worker safety and wellbeing but criticised the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service board for failing to act on bullying complaints against the former CEO, which led to depression and suicide attempts among staff.
“I say at the outset that we support measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of public sector workers is protected. Our health workers are the key to ensuring Queenslanders are able to access quality health care in their hour of need.”— 2023-04-19View Hansard
As Minister for Health, thanked members for their contributions and defended the bill as supporting initiatives to promote health of Queenslanders and prioritise health worker wellbeing, while clarifying the amendments complement existing workplace health and safety obligations.
“It is refreshing to have support across the House for the bill and to hear members opposite describing amendments as commonsense and practical.”— 2023-04-19View Hansard
That the amendment be agreed to
The motion passed.
▸Show individual votesHide individual votes
Ayes (49)
Noes (37)
That the motion, as amended, be agreed to
The motion passed.
▸Show individual votesHide individual votes
Ayes (49)
Noes (37)
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill amends nine health-related Acts to improve how Queensland's health system operates. It strengthens wellbeing protections for health workers, modernises cancer data collection, enables electronic recording of mental health tribunal proceedings, and streamlines several administrative processes including organ donation consent and school vision screening.
Who it affects
Public health workers gain stronger wellbeing protections, families can more easily consent to organ donation, and children benefit from improved vision screening outreach. People with cancer will have more comprehensive data collected about their treatment to improve research and health strategies.
Health worker wellbeing and emergency access
Hospital and Health Services must actively consider staff wellbeing in planning and service delivery. Security officers are prohibited from directing someone to leave hospital if they need emergency medical treatment.
- Hospital and Health Boards must promote a culture supporting staff health, safety and wellbeing
- Security officers cannot direct people to leave if they need life-saving treatment
- Requirements apply to physical, psychological and cultural safety
Queensland Cancer Register modernisation
The Cancer Register will collect more comprehensive data to better understand cancer patterns and treatment effectiveness. Diagnostic imaging practices become notifiers for the first time.
- Diagnostic imaging practices must notify cancer-related findings
- Pathology labs must report all cancer follow-up examinations, not just positive results
- Hospitals must report every cancer treatment episode, not just the first per year
- Residential care facilities removed as notifiers
Mental Health Review Tribunal reforms
The MHRT can now electronically record proceedings and share records appropriately. Adults with capacity can waive their right to legal representation verbally.
- MHRT can transition to electronic recording of proceedings
- Adults with capacity can waive representation verbally if MHRT is satisfied it would not cause injustice
- Appropriate persons can access copies of tribunal records and transcriptions
Vision screening and medicines information
Schools can share student information with vision screening programs to detect preventable vision loss. Queensland Health can share medicines and poisons information with more agencies.
- Vision screening program added to authorised school health programs for information sharing
- Information can be shared with Hospital and Health Services and Veterinary Surgeons Board
- Clarifies fumigation versus pest control activities for licensing
- Primary producer exemption limited to commercial producers
Organ donation and other administrative reforms
Private hospitals can now accept verbal consent for organ donation, matching public hospitals. Water fluoridation notices no longer require newspaper publication.
- Verbal consent allowed for organ donation in private hospitals
- TGA Special Access Scheme products exempt from Ministerial permit requirements
- Fluoridation notices can be published online instead of in newspapers
- Low-risk radioactive material can be exempted from disposal requirements