Emergency Services Reform Amendment Bill 2023
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill makes the administrative and legal changes needed to restructure Queensland's emergency services following independent reviews. It transfers the State Emergency Service and the new Marine Rescue Queensland under the Queensland Police Service, establishes a State Disaster Management Group chaired by the Premier for faster disaster response, and updates more than a dozen laws to reflect the new arrangements. The reforms are backed by $578 million in funding over five years.
Who it affects
The roughly 8,000 SES and marine rescue volunteers across Queensland gain clearer workers compensation, civil liability protections, and first responder status. Local governments, QFES, and QPS are all affected by the shift in administrative responsibilities.
Key changes
- SES and Marine Rescue Queensland members become QPS staff members, bringing them under the Police Commissioner's administration with consistent governance and protections
- A new State Disaster Management Group is established within the Disaster Management Act 2003, chaired by the Premier, to provide faster strategic leadership at the start of disaster events
- Workers compensation coverage extended to MRQ and SES volunteers through WorkCover contracts with the QPS Commissioner, and MRQ members added to the PTSD presumptive legislation list as first responders
- Civil liability protections maintained for SES members and extended to MRQ members and their organisations when performing emergency duties in good faith
- Blue Card requirements preserved for MRQ and SES volunteers, while exempting them from QPS-specific alcohol and drug testing and broader disclosure obligations that apply to police staff
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
▸Committee28 Nov 2023 – 30 Apr 2024View Hansard
Referred to Legal Affairs and Safety Committee
▸Second Reading30 Apr 2024 – 1 May 2024View Hansard
That the amendment be agreed to
Vote on an amendment that was agreed to - specific amendment details not present in the text of this section.
The motion passed.
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Ayes (47)
Noes (36)
That the motion, as amended, be agreed to
Vote on the amended motion which was agreed to - likely related to debate time allocation or business program.
The motion passed.
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Ayes (47)
Noes (36)
▸1 clause vote (all passed)
Vote on clause 31
Vote on whether to retain clause 31 of the Disaster Management and Other Legislation Amendment Bill, which establishes Rural Fire Service Queensland as a separate fire service within the Queensland Fire Department and provides enhanced civil liability protections for volunteer members. The LNP, KAP and PHON opposed the clause citing inadequate consultation with rural fire brigade volunteers and concerns about the new command structure.
The clause was kept in the bill.
A vote on whether a specific clause should remain in the bill as written.
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Ayes (48)
Noes (36)
▸1 procedural vote
Vote to grant leave
Procedural motion that was defeated - likely related to the business program or amendments (context not present in this section of the Hansard).
Permission was refused.
A vote on whether to grant permission — for example, to introduce an amendment or vary normal procedure.
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Ayes (37)
Noes (47)
▸16 members spoke9 support7 mixed
Supported the cognate bills, focusing on the Emergency Services Reform Amendment Bill and its provisions for better coordination between SES, police and Marine Rescue Queensland.
“I rise to support the cognate bills.”— 2024-05-01View Hansard
As Minister for Police and Community Safety, moved the second reading and outlined the reforms establishing the SES and Marine Rescue Queensland as separate entities under the Queensland Police Service, with record funding of almost $600 million over five years.
“This government acknowledges that its paramount responsibility is the safety of our communities and our people. We take that obligation seriously and we recognise the importance of our emergency services agencies performing the best that they can.”— 2024-04-30View Hansard
Thanked emergency services personnel but raised concerns about the Marine Rescue Queensland Bill, noting that not all VMR bases were on board with the changes and that the government had more work to do to address a potential two-tiered system.
“The government has had a lot of time to get this right and they obviously have more work to do.”— 2024-05-01View Hansard
Strongly supported all bills, highlighting benefits for coastguard volunteers who would no longer need to pay for their own uniforms or run fundraisers for basic equipment, and praised the consultation process.
“They are very happy with what is happening because now they will not have to pay for their own uniforms.”— 2024-05-01View Hansard
As shadow minister, supported civil liability protections and disaster management reforms but criticised the government's handling of volunteer consultation, the rushed process with debate on four bills being guillotined, and the lack of answers for volunteers about asset ownership and fund access. The LNP opposed clause 31 establishing the two entities within the Queensland Fire Department.
“To have people with 50 years of service as volunteers talking about walking away is not only heartbreaking but also has the potential to deprive the next generation of volunteers, and our communities of a pool of vital knowledge and experience.”— 2024-04-30View Hansard
Supported improvements to disaster response and the additional funding for volunteer organisations, but raised concerns about the lack of consultation with volunteers, mixed messaging, and the fact that many details would come through regulation rather than legislation.
“The culture of volunteerism must be allowed to continue and flourish.”— 2024-04-30View Hansard
Supported all bills, praising the bringing together of VMR and coastguard into a single Marine Rescue Queensland and highlighting the maintenance and equipment support the reforms would provide.
“I know that giving surety around maintenance application, whether that be vessels or fire appliances, and providing that support to our hardworking and dedicated emergency personnel is important.”— 2024-05-01View Hansard
Supported all four bills, noting Queensland's unique three-way arrangement between state, local government and SES, and emphasising the importance of efficient and effective emergency services management in the face of increasing natural disasters.
“It is crucial that our emergency services are managed efficiently and effectively, with cooperation at all levels and across all services.”— 2024-04-30View Hansard
Supported the bills while acknowledging legitimate concerns from the Rural Fire Service about top-down structures being imposed on grassroots volunteer organisations. Called for good Samaritan protections for community volunteers during disasters and greater investment in neighbourhood centres for disaster recovery.
“We can make these kinds of administrative rearrangements and restructure the organisations that we rely on to come and mop up the mess after the fact, but we need to take urgent steps to address climate change.”— 2024-04-30View Hansard
Supported all four bills, highlighting the impact of the February 2022 floods on her electorate and the importance of ensuring emergency services are structured to meet future demands, including the impact of climate change on extreme weather events.
“The safety of our communities, the safety of Queenslanders, is a priority for our government.”— 2024-04-30View Hansard
Acknowledged the contributions of emergency services volunteers but criticised the lack of scrutiny due to time constraints under the government's business program, expressing concern about potential unintended consequences.
“Queenslanders deserve better.”— 2024-05-01View Hansard
Supported the broader emergency services reforms but criticised the government for lack of consultation, foreshadowing the LNP's opposition to clause 31 regarding the Rural Fire Service restructure.
“I and my colleagues on this side of the House will support all of those stakeholders and submitters in this important disaster management space who openly and, quite rightly, criticised the government.”— 2024-05-01View Hansard
Supported all bills, drawing on his experience as a former Queensland Ambulance Service officer and highlighting the reforms' benefits for emergency service volunteers including equipment and resources.
“The Queensland government, through these reforms, will ensure you are looked after and that you will have the equipment that you need to respond to communities in times of need in Queensland.”— 2024-05-01View Hansard
Supported all bills, emphasising Queensland's status as Australia's most disaster-prone state and the need for optimal emergency service performance through organisational reform.
“The substantial impact of natural disasters on Queensland underscores how critical it is that our emergency services are performing optimally.”— 2024-05-01View Hansard
As shadow minister for volunteers, supported improving emergency response capabilities but criticised the limited consultation time and expressed concerns about the implementation of the Rural Fire Service reforms.
“The LNP supports any attempt to improve the emergency response of agencies and volunteer groups for regular operations and disaster management.”— 2024-05-01View Hansard
Supported Marine Rescue Queensland reforms and praised local VMR teams, but raised concerns about the Rural Fire Service restructure including questions about locally raised brigade funds and the command structure under the new Queensland Fire Department.
“In relation to the structure of the new Queensland Fire Department and in particular how brigades and members of the Rural Fire Service Queensland fit into that structure, there are more questions than answers.”— 2024-05-01View Hansard