Emergency Services Reform Amendment Bill 2023
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
Referred to Legal Affairs and Safety Committee
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.
▸Show individual votesHide individual votes
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.
▸Show individual votesHide individual votes
Ayes (47)
Noes (36)
▸1 clause vote (all passed)
Vote on clause 31
Vote on retaining clause 31 of the Disaster Management and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024, which establishes Rural Fire Service Queensland as a fire service and provides enhanced civil liability protections for volunteer members. The LNP opposed the clause citing concerns about consultation and uncertainty for volunteers.
The clause was kept in the bill.
A vote on whether a specific clause should remain in the bill as written.
▸Show individual votesHide individual votes
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.
▸Show individual votesHide individual votes
Ayes (37)
Noes (47)
▸7 members spoke4 support3 mixed
Moved the second reading as Minister for Police and Community Safety, outlining the four bills' implementation of independent review recommendations to restructure emergency services, establish Marine Rescue Queensland and a standalone SES under QPS, and reform disaster management arrangements.
“This government, after considering the independent reviews conducted into the delivery of our emergency services and our disaster management arrangements, is undertaking crucial reforms supported by additional funding—record funding—to ensure that our emergency services agencies can perform the best they can.”— 2024-04-30View Hansard
Supported the bills as Minister for Fire and Disaster Recovery, focusing on the Disaster Management bill's establishment of Rural Fire Service Queensland and Queensland Fire and Rescue as separate entities within the Queensland Fire Department, and defending the inclusion of brigades for better legal protections.
“For the first time, brigades will be recognised formally as part of Rural Fire Service Queensland, ending years of ambiguity about legal status and volunteer protections.”— 2024-04-30View Hansard
Acknowledged positive elements including civil liability protections for volunteers and disaster management improvements, but strongly criticised the government's lack of consultation, rushed process, and treatment of volunteers. The LNP opposed clause 31 establishing the two separate fire entities.
“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
Acknowledged the positive funding increases and need for reform but criticised the lack of consultation and communication with volunteers, raising concerns about asset transfers and access to locally raised funds.
“I do encourage, as I said before, the police minister in particular to continue his conversations about communication and transparency.”— 2024-04-30View Hansard
Supported the bills as implementing recommendations from multiple independent reviews, noting the importance of efficient and effective emergency services given Queensland's disaster-prone environment.
“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
Acknowledged the reforms were sensible but raised concerns about top-down quasi-militaristic structures for volunteer organisations, called for better resourcing of neighbourhood centres for disaster recovery, and urged stronger climate change action to address the root cause of increasing disasters.
“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 the bills as ensuring emergency services and disaster management responses meet future demand, particularly given increasing climate change impacts, and welcomed smoke alarm requirements for caravans.
“The safety of our communities, the safety of Queenslanders, is a priority for our government. This organisational realignment in this bill will ensure our emergency services and disaster management responses are established in a way that meets future demand.”— 2024-04-30View Hansard
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill implements major reforms to Queensland's emergency services following independent reviews. It transfers the State Emergency Service and marine rescue functions from Queensland Fire and Emergency Services to the Queensland Police Service, and formally establishes the State Disaster Management Group to coordinate disaster response at the highest level.
Who it affects
SES volunteers, marine rescue volunteers, and Queensland Police Service personnel are most directly affected. Communities across Queensland benefit from improved coordination of emergency services during disasters.
Key changes
- State Emergency Service and marine rescue transferred from Fire and Emergency Services to Queensland Police Service
- State Disaster Management Group formally established in legislation, chaired by the Premier, to provide strategic oversight during disasters
- Marine rescue services to be unified into single statewide organisation (Marine Rescue Queensland) instead of two separate volunteer organisations
- Workers compensation and civil liability protections extended to all SES and marine rescue volunteers
- Up to $578 million allocated over 5 years with $142 million ongoing, including 550 new positions and $60 million annually for SES