Disaster Management and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024

Spoke in support of the cognate bills, particularly focusing on the Emergency Services Reform Amendment Bill, praising better coordination between SES, police and Marine Rescue Queensland, and thanking emergency services volunteers and public servants.

“I think this bill provides better coordination across our various service providers.”— 2024-05-01View Hansard

Strongly criticised the bill as showing lack of respect for volunteers and being a 'full-on attack on volunteers'. Declared he is a rural fire brigade member and raised concerns about local control being undermined, lack of consultation, and brigade finances becoming state money.

“The fact is that this bill, as it relates to rural firies, at best shows a lack of respect for volunteers and at worst is a full-on attack on volunteers.”— 2024-05-01View Hansard

Thanked emergency services but raised concerns about the Blue Water Review process, noting many VMRs felt they were not listened to and some have rejected the government's new structure. Called for more care in handling VMRs that have not agreed to come on board.

“The process whereby the volunteer organisations will be brought on board will be a staged process, so come 1 July not everyone will be on board. Some VMRs have accepted the changes and some have rejected the government's new structure.”— 2024-05-01View Hansard

Expressed concern about placing rural fire brigade powers into the hands of the Police Commissioner and the centralisation of control. Also raised issues about gaps in disaster relief funding and called for better support for affected communities.

“The RFS has a long, proud tradition, however this appears to be under attack through this bill where the government wants to place all powers of a voluntary rural fire brigade into the hands of the Police Commissioner.”— 2024-05-01View Hansard

Strongly supported all bills, highlighting that coastguard volunteers will no longer have to pay for their own uniforms or fundraise for basic needs, and praising the Labor government's support for volunteers and rural firies.

“My coastguard are very happy with the transition. In fact, my coastguard are going to put up a statue of Minister Ryan because they are getting a brand new rescue boat out of this.”— 2024-05-01View Hansard

As LNP shadow minister, explained the opposition to clause 31, criticising the seven-day consultation period as an insult to volunteers and raising unresolved concerns about command structure, expenditure authority, brigade funds and legal status.

“To allow seven days for submissions is a joke and an insult to all those volunteers who give up their time and put their lives on the line to keep us safe.”— 2024-05-01View Hansard

Criticised the seven-day submission period as showing disdain for rural fire brigades, raised concerns about training availability, incident controller courses for volunteers, clause 83 uncertainties, and what happens to brigade money under delegation to the department.

“Giving the different brigades one week to look over and understand this legislation, along with the confusion that was created in the community, is completely unacceptable for hardworking volunteers who put their lives on the line protecting our houses, protecting our farms and protecting our communities.”— 2024-05-01View Hansard

As Minister for Fire and Disaster Recovery, defended clause 31 as essential for providing civil liability protections to volunteers. Noted that opposing the clause would reject these protections and criticised the opposition for scoring political points.

“It is this legislative recognition of the vital functions that volunteers perform on behalf of the state that enhances the civil liability protections that apply to volunteers under the Public Sector Act 2022 and the Civil Liability Act 2003.”— 2024-05-01View Hansard

Strongly supported the bills and criticised opposition for spreading misinformation. Noted that the RFBAQ's claims of no consultation were misleading, as extensive consultation had occurred through in-person meetings, phone calls, team meetings, emails and letters.

“It is not right to do that to our rural firies; it is quite shameful, actually. I echo the minister's calls last night in that advocating to your members and providing them with information is extraordinarily important.”— 2024-05-01View Hansard

Seconded the member for Burdekin's comments opposing clause 31, noting no certainty is given to volunteer rural firies about their future and criticising the debate being guillotined.

“Ultimately, unfortunately, no certainty is given to the many volunteer rural firies as to what the future may hold.”— 2024-05-01View Hansard

Raised concerns about consultation issues with rural fire brigades in his electorate, with one brigade looking to resign. Criticised the centralisation trend and expressed concern about volunteer protections and clause 23 powers of entry for marine rescue volunteers.

“In fact, one person said to me—and this is not politics—'I am not voting Labor again because of this.' They were his words. It is nothing to do with me. It is sad that we have to get to this point and that we do not do the right thing in terms of consultation.”— 2024-05-01View Hansard

Spoke about the impact of Tropical Cyclone Jasper on her electorate and strongly supported streamlining emergency services under the QPS for better coordination and efficiency in disaster response.

“Streamlining our emergency services will ensure efficiency and a strong coordinated approach should we ever have to face a severe weather event again.”— 2024-05-01View Hansard

Acknowledged positive elements of disaster management reforms but criticised the cognate debate process as inadequate for scrutiny, and highlighted concerns raised by rural fire brigades about insufficient consultation and communication.

“Such limited consultation and time frames for feedback is completely unacceptable. This is yet another example of the state Labor government's failure to treat Queenslanders with respect and comprehensively listen to their concerns.”— 2024-05-01View Hansard

Supported improving emergency response but flagged concerns about lack of consultation with rural fire brigades and the haste in rushing legislation. Noted LNP would not oppose the bills overall but foreshadowed opposition to clause 31.

“However, while the LNP will not be opposing the bills, it would be remiss of me not to flag the concerns raised in relation to the Disaster Management and Other Legislation Amendment Bill by members of many of my local rural fire brigades operating on the Sunshine Coast.”— 2024-05-01View Hansard

As a former Queensland Ambulance Service officer, strongly supported the reforms, drawing parallels to the 1992 QAS transition and emphasising the benefits of secure funding, equipment and training for volunteers.

“To have secure funding to make sure they are getting the flood boats, they are getting the equipment, they are getting the trucks and they are getting the training is all together a very good move by this government in making these reforms.”— 2024-05-01View Hansard

Supported all bills as necessary reforms for Queensland's disaster-prone environment, noting the Miles Labor government has strengthened protections and compensation for volunteers and provided government funding so organisations do not rely on fundraising.

“Pertinent to these bills is the fact that the Miles Labor government has strengthened the laws around protection and compensation for volunteers in line with career services.”— 2024-05-01View Hansard

As shadow minister for volunteers, thanked volunteers but criticised limited consultation time. Asked for ironclad guarantee that locally raised brigade funds stay with local brigades and raised concerns about disaster district boundaries needing review.

“We need to hear in this House the minister's ironclad guarantee that every cent of locally raised funds by the brigade will stay with the local brigade and be easily accessible by these volunteers.”— 2024-05-01View Hansard

Thanked local rural fire brigades and VMR volunteers, but expressed concerns about unanswered questions regarding Rural Fire Service structure and brigade funds. Noted VMR Currumbin supports the single statewide marine rescue service but wants more consultation.

“In particular and of significant importance to our local rural firies is a guarantee from the minister that locally raised funds will be preserved for the exclusive use of the brigade to which the donation was made.”— 2024-05-01View Hansard

As Minister for Police and Community Safety, delivered the reply speech strongly supporting all bills. Addressed operational concerns, confirmed $27 million annual ongoing funding for MRQ, and emphasised the historic nature of creating new government organisations for emergency services.

“We are seeing the creation, for the first time in Queensland history, of Marine Rescue Queensland, a government agency that will be supported, run and staffed by volunteers.”— 2024-05-01View Hansard