Marine Rescue Queensland Bill 2023
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill establishes Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ) as a single, statewide marine rescue service, replacing the two existing volunteer organisations that currently provide marine rescue in Queensland. It places MRQ under the Queensland Police Service and creates a clear command structure from state to local level, with standardised training, equipment, and operations.
Who it affects
Around 2,600 marine rescue volunteers across Queensland will transition into the new organisation, gaining mandatory insurance and a more structured support framework. Boaters and coastal communities will benefit from a more coordinated rescue service with clearer coverage areas.
Key changes
- Creates Marine Rescue Queensland as a single entity, merging the Volunteer Marine Rescue Association Queensland (26 squadrons) and the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association (21 flotillas)
- Places MRQ under the Queensland Police Service Commissioner, who will establish units, appoint members, and set boundaries for rescue coverage areas
- Requires the Commissioner to provide insurance for all MRQ volunteers through WorkCover, covering them during rescue operations, training, and disaster response
- Grants MRQ members power to enter places without a warrant in dangerous situations and to use reasonable force against property (not people) when performing rescue functions
- Creates offences for assaulting or obstructing MRQ members (up to 100 penalty units or 6 months imprisonment) and for misusing confidential information (up to 100 penalty units or 2 years imprisonment)
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
▸Committee28 Nov 2023View Hansard
Referred to Legal Affairs and Safety Committee
The Community Support and Services Committee examined the Marine Rescue Queensland Bill 2023, receiving 20 submissions from stakeholders who were generally supportive of the proposed reforms. The committee recommended the bill be passed and encouraged the Queensland Police Service's Reform Implementation Taskforce to undertake public education and engagement sessions with State Emergency Service and Marine Rescue Queensland volunteers. The Queensland Government supported both recommendations.
Key findings (5)
- Submitters were generally supportive of the bill's proposed reforms to establish Marine Rescue Queensland as a standalone entity under the Queensland Police Service.
- The Local Government Association of Queensland supported establishing MRQ in a standalone Act, noting it emphasises the value of the organisation and assists in promoting volunteer engagement.
- The committee received 20 submissions across the emergency reform amendment package, with 8 speaking exclusively to this bill.
- The Reform Implementation Taskforce had already delivered more than 280 engagement activities with SES and marine rescue volunteers since May 2023.
- Volunteering Queensland was engaged to develop a dedicated Volunteerism Strategy to guide volunteer engagement and recruitment across SES and MRQ under the QPS.
Recommendations (2)
- The committee recommends that the Marine Rescue Queensland Bill 2023 be passed.
- The committee encourages the Queensland Police Service's Reform Implementation Taskforce to undertake public education and information sessions to effectively engage and inform State Emergency Service and Marine Rescue Queensland volunteers as part of the implementation of the emergency service and disaster management reforms.
Committee report tabled
▸Second Reading1 May 2024View Hansard
▸9 members spoke5 support4 mixed
As Minister for Police and Community Safety, introduced the bills and outlined how they implement recommendations from independent reviews of emergency services and disaster management. Emphasised the importance of supporting volunteers with civil liability protections and 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
Supported the general thrust of better coordination for marine rescue but raised concerns about the drawn-out VMR merger process, with some VMR bases feeling they were not listened to and rejecting the government's new structure.
“The general thrust of the Marine Rescue Queensland Bill is to better coordinate the emergency response at sea and that is universally supported. Having said that, the process of merging VMR and the coastguard has been a drawn-out one and has failed to produce agreement across the board with all of the bases, and that is a sad fact.”— 2024-05-01View Hansard
Acknowledged positive elements including civil liability protections and disaster management amendments, but heavily criticised the government's consultation process and treatment of volunteers. Announced the LNP would oppose clause 31 establishing two separate entities within the Queensland Fire Department, and raised numerous unanswered questions from volunteers about asset transfers, funding and operational arrangements.
“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 welcomed additional funding for volunteer organisations, but raised concerns about lack of consultation, mixed messaging to volunteers, and the ability of the Queensland Police Service to manage additional staff and volunteers. Urged better communication and transparency going forward.
“We must support any improvements to the response of agencies to disasters and disaster management.”— 2024-04-30View Hansard
Spoke in support of all four bills, noting committee recommendations to pass them and emphasising the need for efficient and effective emergency services given Queensland's disaster exposure and the growing impact of climate change.
“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
Expressed legitimate concerns about top-down quasi-militaristic structures being imposed on grassroots volunteer organisations, and uncertainty around reallocation of funds. However, accepted the restructure as sensible enough and called for greater investment in community and neighbourhood centres for disaster recovery, as well as Good Samaritan civil liability protections.
“It is worth noting at the outset that there are some quite legitimate concerns about the operational structures that are proposed in the rearrangement under these bills, not least of all the kind of top-down, almost quasi-militaristic structures that are proposed.”— 2024-04-30View Hansard
Focused on the Marine Rescue Queensland Bill, supporting the reforms while acknowledging VMR Brisbane's unique history dating back to 1912. Noted the leadership group is supportive of the transition.
“I welcome the work these reforms will deliver and the opportunity they have to provide a greater level of coordination to the vital and important services that are represented by the Marine Rescue Queensland Bill.”— 2024-05-01View Hansard
Spoke in support of the bills, drawing on the experience of the February 2022 floods in her electorate and the life-saving work of emergency services. Welcomed the organisational reforms and the requirement for smoke alarms in caravans and motorhomes.
“Ensuring that our emergency services agencies are designed and supported to respond to the impact of natural disasters is important—which is what these bills will achieve—and it becomes more pressing when we recognise the impact of climate change on extreme weather conditions.”— 2024-04-30View Hansard
Supported the Marine Rescue Queensland Bill, praising Coast Guard Brisbane volunteers and the benefits of an integrated statewide marine rescue service with government funding so volunteers no longer need to fundraise.
“No longer will volunteers have to go out and rattle the tin. No more will they have to call me and say, 'Can you help us raise funds? Can you buy our life jackets for us?' We as a government are supporting them.”— 2024-05-01View Hansard