Integrity and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
Referred to Economics and Governance Committee
▸13 members spoke7 support6 mixed
As Attorney-General, introduced and commended the bill as implementing Coaldrake report recommendations to strengthen integrity bodies' independence and lobbying regulation. Defended the government's integrity reforms and foreshadowed amendments to strengthen dual-hatting provisions.
“This bill represents another significant milestone in delivering this government's commitment to an effective, enduring and contemporary integrity framework in Queensland.”— 2024-02-15View Hansard
As shadow integrity minister, supported the bill as a step forward but was highly critical that it fails to address cultural issues identified in the Coaldrake report, including bullying of public servants and interference with integrity officers. Criticised the government's lack of real cultural change.
“The integrity crisis under this government continues to burn, and this legislation fails to fix the failures that set the fire alight, particularly the significant damning cultural issues that have been outlined.”— 2024-02-15View Hansard
As committee chair, strongly endorsed the bill and highlighted the thorough committee process. Praised the Attorney-General for listening to stakeholder concerns and bringing amendments to address the dual-hatting loophole identified during committee hearings.
“I am pleased to see that that serious work—a commitment to factual integrity and the examination of the bill—reaped rewards from a responsible Attorney-General who was interested in the detail and who brought forward changes.”— 2024-02-15View Hansard
Supported the bill's passage while criticising the government's integrity record that necessitated the Coaldrake report. Welcomed amendments addressing the lobbyist dual-hatting loophole and expressed hope the bill provides a platform for improved integrity under future governments.
“I will certainly be supporting the bill's passage through this House. I look forward to a fuller explanation on the amendments in terms of those matters that need to be addressed through those amendments, but I do believe that we have taken a good step forward.”— 2024-02-15View Hansard
As a committee member, focused on the substantive content of the bill including lobbying regulation reforms, human rights implications of dual-hatting prohibition, and enhanced independence for integrity bodies through parliamentary committee involvement.
“I do not think there is anyone on this side of the House who is claiming that the work is all done and dusted and that we can put the cue in the rack. We know that ensuring the integrity of decision-making in this state is an ongoing task for every government of every colour.”— 2024-02-15View Hansard
Supported the bill but criticised it for not fully implementing Coaldrake recommendations, particularly regarding cabinet document release, complaints clearing house, and State Archivist independence. Welcomed amendments fixing the lobbyist deregistration loophole.
“This bill does not go far enough to change the minds of Queenslanders. Queenslanders will have an opportunity to show Labor the door in October 2024.”— 2024-02-15View Hansard
As a committee member, outlined the bill's comprehensive reforms to lobbying regulation and integrity body independence. Emphasised the importance of transparency in government decision-making and the prohibition on dual-hatting by lobbyists.
“Strengthening the integrity of lobbying activities is not just desirable; it is imperative. This bill takes the necessary steps to ensure that the Queensland people are fully informed and aware of the actions taken by those professional groups.”— 2024-02-15View Hansard
Supported the bill but raised concerns from integrity officers that the legislation does not fully reflect Coaldrake's intent. Cited the Auditor-General's concern that the Premier misrepresented the implementation of recommendations and noted stakeholder concerns about lobbying definition loopholes.
“Not even people closest to this bill will attest that it achieves this. Certainly, Queenslanders have little faith in a government that is well known for waving around flashy new rule books, while it continues to play the game it has always played.”— 2024-02-15View Hansard
Strongly supported the bill as part of Labor's ongoing commitment to integrity reform, contrasting it with the LNP's record of opposing integrity measures and their treatment of integrity bodies when in government.
“It is only this side of politics—it has always been this side of the politics, ever since the Sir Joh days—that reviews our integrity laws and brings in tougher measures for this state.”— 2024-02-15View Hansard
Acknowledged the bill as a step forward but criticised it as long overdue and insufficient to address integrity failures. Raised concerns about lobbying regulation gaps and the government's decision not to extend diary publication to committee chairs.
“Whilst this legislation is a step forward, it is long overdue and still does not comprehensively address what is required to ensure openness, transparency and integrity in government.”— 2024-02-15View Hansard
Strongly supported the bill and contrasted Labor's integrity reform record with the LNP's history of opposing donation disclosure reforms and real-time disclosure legislation. Emphasised that integrity means doing the right thing regardless of who is watching.
“Integrity is about doing the right thing every time—regardless of who is watching, regardless of who is listening, regardless of who is in the room. Integrity is about doing the right thing every time.”— 2024-02-15View Hansard
Welcomed the lobbying reforms and Ombudsman jurisdiction expansion but criticised the bill for not fully implementing Coaldrake's recommendation to align integrity body funding with the Speaker rather than executive government. Raised concerns about the committee system's effectiveness.
“This bill is in direct contrast to Coaldrake's full recommendation—'The independence of integrity bodies in Queensland be enhanced by aligning responsibility for financial arrangements and management practices with the Speaker of Parliament and the appropriate parliamentary committee, rather than the executive government.'”— 2024-02-15View Hansard
The Greens supported the bill's modest reforms but criticised it as inadequate, noting gaping holes in the integrity regime including exclusion of in-house lobbying, professional associations, and most non-government politicians from lobbying laws. Welcomed the strengthened dual-hatting amendment.
“It is right there in the explanatory notes to the bill. The objectives are, as it reads, to 'address the public perception of undue influence on governments', which is a subtle but important distinction from any more meaningful attempt to actually address undue influence.”— 2024-02-15View Hansard
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill implements major integrity reforms recommended by the Coaldrake and Yearbury reviews. It overhauls lobbying regulation to stop conflicts of interest and 'dual hatting', strengthens the independence of Queensland's five core integrity bodies by giving parliamentary committees more say in appointments and funding, and expands the Ombudsman's powers to investigate non-government organisations that deliver government services.
Who it affects
Lobbyists face tougher rules including mandatory training, conflict of interest policies, and a ban on working election campaigns while registered. The Ombudsman, Auditor-General, Integrity Commissioner and Information Commissioner gain more independence from government through parliamentary committee oversight of their appointments and budgets.
Lobbying regulation
Complete rewrite of lobbying rules to capture all attempts to influence government. Bans 'dual hatting' where lobbyists also work on election campaigns. Former politicians and senior public servants cannot lobby on their old portfolios for 2 years.
- Lobbyists banned from playing substantial roles in election campaigns - if they do, they're disqualified from re-registering for the full term of government
- Mandatory training and conflict of interest policies for registered lobbyists
- Success fees for lobbying outcomes now prohibited with penalties up to 200 penalty units
- Former ministers and senior public servants cannot lobby on matters they handled in their last 2 years in office
Integrity body independence
Parliamentary committees now have formal roles in appointing integrity body leaders, setting their pay, approving funding proposals, and tabling their annual reports and strategic reviews. This applies to the Auditor-General, Ombudsman, Integrity Commissioner and Information Commissioner.
- Parliamentary committees must approve appointments and remuneration for heads of integrity bodies
- Funding proposals from integrity bodies go to parliamentary committees before government budget decisions
- Committee chairs table annual reports and strategic review reports in parliament
- 20 business day timeframes for committee decisions, with deemed approval if no response
Ombudsman powers expansion
The Ombudsman can now investigate complaints about non-government organisations that deliver services on behalf of government agencies. This closes a gap where contracted service providers were outside the Ombudsman's reach.
- Ombudsman can investigate administrative decisions by non-government entities contracted to deliver government services
- Ombudsman can make recommendations directly to these entities about improving their practices
- $5.035 million over four years and 10.5 new staff to support the expanded jurisdiction
Integrity Commissioner reforms
The Office of the Queensland Integrity Commissioner becomes a statutory body with its own financial independence, rather than sitting within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet.
- Integrity Commissioner's office established as a statutory body for financial independence
- New lobbying register platform to replace outdated system
- $4 million over four years to support expanded regulatory role and independent office