Transport and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
Referred to Transport and Resources Committee
Vote on a motion
Party VoteThe motion was rejected.
A formal vote on whether to accept a proposal — this could be the bill itself, an amendment, or another motion.
What is a party vote?
This was a party vote. Each party's Whip declared how their members voted without a physical count, so individual votes were not recorded. Party votes are used when all members of a party are expected to vote the same way.
▸12 members spoke11 support1 mixed
Supports the bill's road safety provisions while criticising the Labor government for failing to deliver road safety infrastructure in his electorate, particularly for cyclists and pedestrians on Moggill Road and Mount Crosby Road.
“Improving road safety should not just be a key objective of this legislation. It should be an ongoing key objective and a key deliverable of this state Labor government, particularly for the electorate of Moggill.”— 2024-02-15View Hansard
As Minister for Transport and Main Roads, moved the bill be read a second time and defended its road safety improvements, particularly for personal mobility devices and the transition of regulatory services to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe on our roads and footpaths, regardless of how and where they choose to travel.”— 2024-02-14View Hansard
As Minister for Transport and Main Roads, strongly supports the bill which enhances road safety by expanding careless riding offences to e-scooters, personal mobility devices and bicycles on road-related areas, and applies consistent post-crash obligations on all drivers and riders.
“E-scooters and other personal mobility devices such as bicycles are a great way to get around, but it is critical that we have a regulatory framework in place to support the safe use of vehicles without compromising the safety of other road and path users.”— 2024-02-15View Hansard
As shadow minister for transport, announced LNP support for the bill while raising concerns about TMR staff certainty during the NHVR transition and calling for e-scooter riders to be subject to random breath testing.
“Some people might read the Transport and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 and not exactly be blown away, but the reality is that this is essential legislation that the LNP will be supporting.”— 2024-02-14View Hansard
As former committee chair, supported the bill's provisions for NHVR staff transition and road safety amendments, noting that careless riding consequences can be equally severe regardless of location.
“It makes sense that employees who have been doing this work under TMR can transition to continue work as part of the NHVR, and this bill will facilitate this transition.”— 2024-02-14View Hansard
Did not oppose the bill but criticised it as full of missed opportunities, particularly regarding staff certainty for those not transferring to NHVR and inadequate road funding for regional Queensland including the beef road corridors.
“In rising to address this bill, which the LNP does not oppose, I want to say that this is yet again a bill full of missed opportunities.”— 2024-02-14View Hansard
Supported the bill's provisions for NHVR transition and personal mobility device safety, noting the rapid uptake of PMDs in her bayside electorate and the importance of improving safety for all path users.
“This bill will facilitate the transition of certain regulatory services from the Department of Transport and Main Roads to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and improve road safety, streamline and improve administrative and legislative processes, and clarify existing requirements.”— 2024-02-14View Hansard
Supported the bill and the Safer Freight Vehicles amendments increasing truck width limits, while calling for further alignment with US and EU standards and criticising delays to beef road corridor funding.
“This bill and amendments are a step in the right direction and, as foreshadowed by the shadow minister for transport, the member for Chatsworth, the LNP will be supporting this legislation that has many critical and much needed changes.”— 2024-02-14View Hansard
Supported the bill for bringing uniformity to heavy vehicle regulation and addressing unsafe e-scooter use in Townsville, commending the government's record investment in road infrastructure.
“This bill is to facilitate the transition of certain regulatory services from the Department of Transport and Main Roads, DTMR, to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator. This will give uniformity and consistency for the heavy vehicle industry in Queensland.”— 2024-02-14View Hansard
Supported the bill as noncontroversial and helpful for logistics companies crossing state borders, while criticising government neglect of heavy freight road networks including the Bremer bridge and Toowoomba bypass.
“Overall, the bill is noncontroversial. It empowers TMR to transfer staff. I think it will help logistics companies, many of which are based in my community, to comply in a more simple and convenient manner because it aligns across all of the state borders.”— 2024-02-14View Hansard
Strongly supported the amendments extending road safety obligations to e-scooter and bicycle riders on road related areas, explaining the technical definitions and noting that legitimate transport comes with responsibilities.
“I applaud the inclusion of this amendment. As an e-scooter user, I have no issue with such a requirement to drive with consideration for other users.”— 2024-02-14View Hansard
Focused on the road safety objectives of the bill, supporting the expansion of due care requirements to personal mobility devices on road related areas to protect pedestrians and people with mobility impairments.
“This legislation will also insert a new section into the transport operations act for the purpose of consistently managing safe interactions between vehicles and vulnerable users.”— 2024-02-14View Hansard
That the amendment be agreed to
The motion passed.
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Ayes (49)
Noes (33)
That the motion, as amended, be agreed to
The motion passed.
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Ayes (49)
Noes (33)
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill makes changes across multiple transport policy areas. It completes Queensland's transition to the national heavy vehicle regulatory scheme by transferring staff to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator. It also strengthens road safety for e-scooter and bicycle users, creates consistent safety duties for bus and passenger transport operators, modernises toll payment processes, and allows overseas visitors to use digital driver's licences.
Who it affects
Heavy vehicle regulatory staff transferring to a new employer, e-scooter and bicycle riders who must now meet safety obligations on footpaths, bus and transport operators who need safety management plans, and toll road users who can now nominate other drivers online.
Heavy Vehicle Staff Transfer
Up to 135 Department of Transport and Main Roads employees who regulate heavy vehicles will transfer to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator. Queensland is the last state to make this transition. Staff will keep their pay, leave entitlements and benefits.
- Staff transfer to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator with preserved entitlements
- Vehicles and equipment also transfer without usual registration processes
- NHVR employees can be appointed to enforce Queensland transport laws
E-Scooter and Bicycle Safety
Riders of e-scooters and bicycles on footpaths and bike paths must now ride with due care and attention. If involved in a crash causing injury, they must stop and help. New protections allow domestic violence victims to report crashes to police instead of giving their address to others at the scene.
- Careless riding on footpaths and bike paths now an offence with up to 40 penalty units
- E-scooter and bicycle riders must stop at crashes and provide their details
- Domestic violence victims can give details to police instead of other crash parties
Public Transport Safety Duties
All road-based public passenger services, including buses, coaches and community transport, will have consistent safety duties. Operators must have documented safety management plans. This extends the framework that already applies to taxis and ride-share services.
- Safety duties extended from personalised transport to all public passenger services
- Operators must have and implement safety management plans
- Penalties up to 3,000 penalty units or 5 years imprisonment for reckless conduct causing risk of death or serious injury
- Six-month transition period for operators to comply
Toll Payment and Other Changes
Toll road users can nominate another driver online when they receive a demand notice, rather than completing a statutory declaration. Overseas visitors with compliant digital driver's licences can use them in Queensland. Various minor administrative updates are also included.
- Online nomination facility for toll demand notices now legally recognised
- Foreign digital driver's licences meeting international standards accepted
- Cross River Rail board quorum reduced to simple majority
- Maritime Safety Queensland General Manager remuneration set by Governor in Council