Emblems of Queensland and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill officially makes the Muttaburrasaurus langdoni Queensland's State fossil emblem and fixes several technical issues with parliamentary procedures, including validating remote committee participation back to 1998, protecting MP privacy during proxy votes, and clarifying the Speaker's authority over the parliamentary precinct on sitting days.
Who it affects
Most changes affect MPs and parliamentary processes. The general public gains an official State fossil emblem celebrating a dinosaur discovered near Muttaburra in central western Queensland.
State fossil emblem
Queensland officially adopts the Muttaburrasaurus langdoni as its State fossil emblem. The dinosaur was discovered near Muttaburra and was selected after a statewide public nomination process from 12 shortlisted candidates.
- Muttaburrasaurus langdoni prescribed as Queensland's official State fossil emblem
- Common name 'The Muttaburra dinosaur' officially recognised in legislation
Parliamentary committee procedures
The bill retrospectively validates that parliamentary committee members have been able to participate by phone, video or other electronic means since 1998. This ensures decisions made at those meetings are legally sound, closing a gap between Standing Orders and legislation.
- Remote participation in committee meetings validated back to 23 April 1998
- Applies to the Parliamentary Crime and Corruption Committee, its predecessor the Parliamentary Criminal Justice Committee, and all other parliamentary committees
- Past committee decisions confirmed as valid even where members were not physically present
Other parliamentary reforms
Several technical fixes address the definition of the parliamentary precinct, MP privacy when requesting proxy votes, the Speaker's responsibility for subordinate legislation documentation, and evidence rules for precinct offences.
- Medical certificates no longer read aloud when MPs request proxy votes due to illness
- Parliamentary precinct definition corrected to include the chamber and galleries on sitting days, fixing a 1995 oversight
- Evidence of Speaker's directions can now be used in court for behaviour offences on the precinct
- Speaker, not a Minister, must prepare human rights certificates and explanatory notes for parliamentary by-laws and rules
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
▸Committee14 Sept 2023View Hansard
Referred to Economics and Governance Committee
▸Second Reading15 Nov 2023 – 28 Nov 2023View Hansard
▸20 members spoke20 support
Continued her contribution noting the significance of fossils for Outback Queensland tourism, though was ruled off-topic when attempting to discuss a Lake Eyre Basin regulatory impact statement.
“I look forward to the Economics and Governance Committee visiting the Eromanga Natural History Museum, which houses Cooper, Australia's largest dinosaur.”— 2023-11-28View Hansard
Continued his speech from the previous day, enthusiastically supporting the muttaburrasaurus as the state fossil emblem and recounting the committee's trip to North-West Queensland to investigate dinosaur tourism.
“The highlight, from my point of view, of the investigation by the committee was our trip on the final day out to Muttaburra where we saw a magnificent facility in a small country town.”— 2023-11-16View Hansard
As the minister responsible, moved the second reading and promoted the bill's recognition of the Muttaburrasaurus langdoni as Queensland's state fossil emblem, emphasising its value for outback palaeo tourism and the necessary parliamentary procedural amendments.
“Dinosaur tourism is a Hero Experience for Queensland, is part of the Queensland story and represents where our competitive advantage lies.”— 2023-11-15View Hansard
As shadow science minister, supported the bill recognising the muttaburrasaurus as the state fossil emblem, highlighted its importance for STEM education and Outback tourism, and paid tribute to discoverer Doug Langdon.
“These prehistoric creatures are a gateway to a fascination with science for so many young people and we need to be doing all we can to encourage even more young Queenslanders to study science and to pursue a career in STEM.”— 2023-11-28View Hansard
Supported the bill, explaining how the muttaburrasaurus was chosen through a public nomination and voting process, and also addressed the minor amendments to the CCC Act and Parliament of Queensland Act.
“It is time to channel my inner eight-year-old and speak with a level of enthusiasm about dinosaurs that only a primary schooler or palaeontologist can match.”— 2023-11-16View Hansard
Confirmed the opposition's support for the bill, highlighting the importance of palaeo tourism for outback Queensland and advocating for a 20-year tourism vision linked to the 2032 Olympic Games.
“The opposition will be supporting this bill. I start by thanking the committee for its work and its diligence in this matter.”— 2023-11-15View Hansard
Supported the bill as Leader of the House, praised the committee's regional travel to Winton and Muttaburra, and highlighted the importance of the parliamentary amendments including proxy voting and precinct security provisions.
“I encourage all members to support the bill.”— 2023-11-28View Hansard
Supported the bill and praised the committee's trip to Western Queensland, highlighting the value the fossil emblem would add to Outback Queensland tourism.
“The secretariat has done a wonderful job. It contains colour photos of all sorts of things. It really is outstanding.”— 2023-11-16View Hansard
Strongly supported the bill as a committee member, recounting the story of Doug Langdon's discovery of the muttaburrasaurus fossil and advocating for palaeo tourism opportunities in outback Queensland.
“I am extraordinarily proud, together with the entire committee, to endorse the choice of the muttaburrasaurus.”— 2023-11-15View Hansard
Supported the bill, shared personal experience visiting the Australian Age of Dinosaurs at Winton, and emphasised the need for good roads to support dinosaur tourism in Western Queensland.
“I support the amendments to the Parliamentary Service Act. It is important that there are measures to prosecute misconduct in the gallery.”— 2023-11-28View Hansard
Spoke passionately about the muttaburrasaurus as a symbol of Queensland's geological heritage and its importance for tourism and education, drawing colourful comparisons to rugby league.
“Our state fossil emblem is a symbol of immense historical and cultural significance to the state of Queensland.”— 2023-11-16View Hansard
Supported the bill, sharing his personal connection to palaeo tourism through the Kronosaurus queenslandicus found near his home town of Richmond, and emphasised the tourism opportunities for outback towns.
“I am totally committed to—and I am pleased to hear the chair speak about it—exploring further palaeo tourism opportunities early next year with the committee.”— 2023-11-15View Hansard
Made a brief contribution supporting the bill, noting the parliamentary amendments and the importance of grey nomad tourism infrastructure for Outback Queensland towns.
“I wish the muttaburrasaurus a long and prosperous reign as the fossil emblem of this state.”— 2023-11-28View Hansard
Supported the bill, reflecting on the story of Doug and Pearl Langdon who donated the original fossil to Queensland rather than selling it, and the role emblems play in engendering civic pride.
“They could have chosen to sell that fossil for quite a significant sum of money, but they did not do that. They chose to keep it here as part of Queensland's history.”— 2023-11-16View Hansard
Supported the bill, highlighting that the muttaburrasaurus won the public vote with 27.55 per cent and emphasising the economic benefits of palaeo tourism accounting for 122,000 visitors to Outback Queensland.
“I call on all members to agree to amending the Emblems of Queensland Act 2005 as required to officially recognise the state's fossil emblem.”— 2023-11-28View Hansard
Supported the bill as a committee member, highlighting the potential for palaeo tourism to become a major economic driver for Outback Queensland and noting Queensland will be the only Australian state with a dinosaur fossil emblem.
“Queensland will be the only state in Australia to have a dinosaur as its fossil emblem, fuelling the claim published in the Council of Australasian Museum Directors magazine in 2021 that museum operators believe Queensland's Outback is well on its way to becoming the dinosaur capital of the world.”— 2023-11-16View Hansard
As Minister for Tourism, delivered the reply speech noting broad bipartisan support, clarifying that the act would not prescribe a specific image, and emphasising the economic potential of dinosaur tourism for Outback Queensland.
“Dinosaur tourism in Outback Queensland is not just a journey into the past; it has the potential to be a step toward a thriving economic future in our regions.”— 2023-11-28View Hansard
Supported the bill, sharing her personal experience visiting the Muttaburra Interpretation Centre and other dinosaur tourism sites across the dinosaur triangle, and congratulated local tourism operators.
“It is a pleasure to rise to support the naming of the Muttaburrasaurus langdoni as the Queensland state emblem.”— 2023-11-16View Hansard
Delivered a heartfelt speech including an original poem about the muttaburrasaurus, sharing his personal childhood connection to the fossil and its importance as a Queensland icon.
“I received a text from my mum, who is watching, who said, 'You were born for this debate.'”— 2023-11-16View Hansard
Supported the bill and reflected on his experience debating the last emblems bill in 2005 as one of only three remaining members from that parliament, drawing parallels between the two debates.
“Our emblems reflect the richness and diversity of our natural history and symbolise the importance of several activities fundamental to Queensland's identity.”— 2023-11-16View Hansard