Corrective Services (Promoting Safety) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
Referred to Legal Affairs and Safety Committee
▸11 members spoke6 support5 mixed
Moved the second reading and replied as Minister for Fire and Disaster Recovery and Corrective Services, presenting the cognate bills as delivering safety improvements for frontline officers, police, victims and the broader community.
“The Miles government is committed to protecting the safety of all Queenslanders.”— 2024-05-21View Hansard
Stated the LNP will not oppose the two bills but highlighted serious concerns about several provisions, particularly around body searches, parole reforms, and the government's record on crime and frontline services.
“I say at the outset that, whilst the LNP opposition will not be opposing these two bills, we will be highlighting several serious issues and concerns.”— 2024-05-21View Hansard
Did not oppose the bills but criticised them as only making small improvements around the edges, raising concerns about the watering down of section 340AA and the practical implementation of amendments.
“For the small improvements these bills make around the edges, I will not be opposing the bills.”— 2024-05-21View Hansard
Recommended the cognate bills be passed, highlighting the corrective services reforms for victim support and parole board representation.
“I will conclude my contribution on the debate and recommend to the House that these cognate bills be passed.”— 2024-05-21View Hansard
Focused on the Police Powers bill, noting community support for body search reforms reflecting diversity and supported the corrective services amendments as reasonable.
“I commend the bill to the House.”— 2024-05-21View Hansard
Spoke as a committee member supporting both bills, emphasising improvements to victim support and parole board representation while criticising the LNP's record on community safety.
“This government is committed to real community safety outcomes for Queensland.”— 2024-05-21View Hansard
Supported the bills emphasising real, lasting and positive change for victims of crime, commending the government's approach to corrective services and victim support.
“I commend the bills to the House.”— 2024-05-21View Hansard
Raised serious concerns about the watering down of section 340AA which could put victims' rights at risk, and criticised the government's overall crime record while not opposing the bills.
“The LNP members of the committee did not support this watering down provision of section 340AA in their statement of reservation.”— 2024-05-21View Hansard
Spoke on the Corrective Services bill, supporting its intent to protect victims' rights while raising concerns about implementation.
“The original intent was good because it will protect the rights of victims.”— 2024-05-21View Hansard
Supported both bills, highlighting the body search reforms supporting gender diverse Queenslanders and commending the work of the committees.
“I commend the bills to the House.”— 2024-05-21View Hansard
Spoke on the Corrective Services bill, raising concerns about the treatment of prisoners and the effectiveness of corrective services reforms.
“According to the Queensland Productivity Commission, it costs over $100,000 per year to incarcerate a single prisoner.”— 2024-05-21View Hansard
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill reforms Queensland's corrective services system with a focus on victim safety and rights. It enhances the Victims Register, puts victims' representatives on the Parole Board, cracks down on prisoners contacting victims via phone, and strengthens monitoring of dangerous child sex offenders after release.
Who it affects
Primarily benefits victims of violent crime, domestic violence survivors, and families of homicide victims by giving them more information and protection. Also affects prisoners through tighter phone restrictions, and dangerous offenders through expanded police monitoring powers.
Victims Register and Parole Board
Makes it easier for crime victims to register and receive information about prisoners. Families of homicide victims can stay registered even after the offender completes their sentence. The Parole Board must now include a victims' representative and a First Nations professional member.
- Victims can be referred to the Register by support agencies instead of applying themselves
- Extended eligibility for homicide victims' families, including when offender returns to custody for new offences
- Victims can receive information about prisoner name changes, location, and deportation status
- At least one Parole Board community member must have victims' expertise or experience
Prisoner phone restrictions
Strengthens powers to stop prisoners using phone systems to harass victims, breach domestic violence orders, or commit offences. Prisoners who abuse the system can have their calls restricted or suspended.
- Chief executive can refuse or revoke approval for prisoner contacts if victim doesn't consent
- Calls can be ended if used for domestic violence, threats, or other prohibited communication
- Spending limits can be placed on phone accounts for prisoners misusing the system
- All prisoners guaranteed minimum seven calls per week
Child sex offender monitoring
Enables police to use existing powers for monitoring reportable child sex offenders who are on post-sentence supervision orders, closing a gap where these powers didn't apply during DPSOA supervision.
- Police can enter premises to verify reported personal details
- Police can require access to and inspect digital devices if they suspect an offence
- Powers align with those already available for other reportable offenders
Officer safety and operations
Creates a new offence for gel blasters on corrective services land, authorises body-worn cameras in the community, and allows flexible search procedures for diverse prisoners.
- Up to two years imprisonment for possessing a gel blaster on corrective services land
- Corrective services officers can use body-worn cameras during prisoner escorts and incidents
- Search procedures can be prescribed by regulation to accommodate trans and gender diverse prisoners
- Queensland can now detain Norfolk Island prisoners under intergovernmental agreement