Crime and Corruption and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
Vote on a motion
This division was on an unrelated government motion about LNP health policies, not on the Crime and Corruption Amendment Bill. The motion condemned the LNP opposition's health record and supported the government's health investments.
The motion was agreed to.
A formal vote on whether to accept a proposal — this could be the bill itself, an amendment, or another motion.
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Ayes (50)
Noes (35)
Referred to Legal Affairs and Safety Committee
▸14 members spoke8 support6 mixed
Moved the second reading and replied as Attorney-General, defending the bill's reforms to the CCC including journalist shield laws, lobbying disclosure requirements, and fixed tenure for CCC appointees. Moved an amendment to extend lobbying disclosure requirements to shadow ministers.
“I am moving this amendment today to ensure any future meetings that those opposite have with registered lobbyists that fall within the definition of 'lobbying activity' are reported on the public register.”— 2024-08-20View Hansard
Acknowledged the bill's importance and the LNP would not oppose it, but heavily criticised the government for being glacially slow in implementing recommendations dating back to 2016, and raised concerns about bipartisan support requirements for CCC appointments being weakened.
“The only way to restore the openness and transparency Queenslanders deserve is to show Labor the door in 2024 and elect a Crisafulli LNP government.”— 2024-08-20View Hansard
Spoke as committee chair, noting the committee recommended the bill be passed and that the amendments appropriately balance CCC powers with individual rights and freedoms.
“The committee was satisfied that the amendments set out in the bill strike this balance.”— 2024-08-20View Hansard
Criticised the government for ditching integrity and accountability, while supporting journalist shield law provisions and raising concerns about the government's broader record on transparency.
“This Labor government have ditched all pretence of integrity and accountability urged in Peter Coaldrake's call for the government to let the sunshine in.”— 2024-08-20View Hansard
Spoke as a committee member, supporting the bill and emphasising the importance of a constantly evolving review process for the CCC given its considerable powers.
“A constantly evolving reviewing process which seeks improvement and refinement is vital. This bill is part of that ongoing process.”— 2024-08-20View Hansard
Raised concerns about the fixed seven-year term for CCC appointments potentially harming bipartisanship and limiting the applicant pool, and criticised the government for not implementing all PCCC recommendations.
“Locking in seven years potentially harms bipartisanship in this parliament.”— 2024-08-20View Hansard
Spoke as a committee member supporting the bill, detailing reforms to CCC chapters 3 and 4, journalist privilege provisions, and the bipartisan support requirement for appointments.
“The committee recommended that the bill be passed.”— 2024-08-20View Hansard
Spoke as PCCC deputy chair welcoming the implementation of key recommendations, including single non-renewable seven-year terms for CCC commissioners.
“I am very pleased to contribute to this debate on the Crime and Corruption and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024.”— 2024-08-20View Hansard
Acknowledged the work of the PCCC and supported many reforms but raised concerns about the bipartisan recommendation process for CCC appointments and the impact of fixed seven-year terms.
“The CCC chairperson and commissioners are appointed following a bipartisan recommendation process and that process goes not only to the person to be appointed to the role but also to the terms of appointment.”— 2024-08-20View Hansard
Strongly supported the bill as continuing Queensland's legacy of anti-corruption reform, praising the requirement for CCC to consult the DPP on prosecution decisions as a key improvement.
“Having an independent anti-corruption body or authority is a key feature of a modern democracy.”— 2024-08-20View Hansard
Stated the LNP will not oppose the bill but criticised the government for implementing recommendations that are eight years overdue and expressed reservations about journalist privilege and whistleblower protections.
“The LNP will not oppose the bill and, in fact, the bill will go through.”— 2024-08-20View Hansard
Supported the bill as enhancing the operation of the CCC and strengthening Queensland's integrity framework.
“I rise today to support the Crime and Corruption and Other Legislation Amendment Bill.”— 2024-08-20View Hansard
Supported the bill emphasising the importance of the CCC as a standing royal commission and the requirement for the CCC to seek DPP advice on prosecutions.
“It is of great importance in this state that we have a standing royal commission in the form of the CCC.”— 2024-08-20View Hansard
Stated the LNP would support the bill as it brings in necessary reforms, but raised serious concerns about the fixed seven-year term undermining bipartisanship and criticised the government's integrity record.
“Obviously we are going to support this bill, because it is by and large bringing in things which at length must be brought in in order to keep our integrity framework up to date.”— 2024-08-20View Hansard
Technical amendments to clauses 31 and 32 correcting cross-references from section 205G(b) to section 205G(1)(b) in the Crime and Corruption Act provisions relating to legal assistance.
New clauses 48A-48C amending the Integrity Act 2009 to include opposition spokespersons and assistant spokespersons in the definition of 'opposition representative', requiring registered lobbyists to disclose lobbying activity with shadow ministers.
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill reforms Queensland's Crime and Corruption Commission following the 2022 Fitzgerald-Wilson Commission of Inquiry and parliamentary reviews. It requires the Director of Public Prosecutions to advise on corruption charges before they are laid, extends journalist shield laws to CCC proceedings, and changes how CCC Commissioners are appointed and how long they can serve.
Who it affects
Journalists gain protections for confidential sources. People investigated for corruption have an additional safeguard before being charged. CCC Commissioners face new seven-year term limits.
Key changes
- CCC must seek DPP advice before laying corruption charges, and cannot charge if DPP advises against it (except in exceptional circumstances)
- Journalists cannot be compelled to reveal confidential sources unless the Supreme Court determines public interest requires disclosure
- CCC Commissioners limited to single seven-year non-renewable terms (previously up to 10 years across multiple terms)
- PCCC must respond to Commissioner appointment nominations within 30 days
- At least two of three Ordinary Commissioners must have community affairs, public administration or organisational leadership experience
- CCC officers can now make whistleblower disclosures about corruption within the CCC itself
- CCC notices can be served by email and witnesses can appear at hearings via audiovisual link