Police Powers and Responsibilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
Referred to Community Safety and Legal Affairs 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 modernises Queensland law to recognise trans and gender diverse people in police and health search procedures, while also making changes to the parole system and prisoner safety assessments. It passed with amendment in 2024.
Who it affects
Trans and gender diverse people will have their identity recognised in search procedures. Prisoners may face longer waiting periods before reapplying for parole, while victims gain protection from repeated parole applications.
Gender-responsive search safeguards
Replaces 'same sex' requirements with 'same gender' safeguards for police, crime commission, mental health and public health searches. People being searched can express a preference about the searcher's gender.
- People subject to personal searches must be given an opportunity to express a preference about the searcher's gender
- Preferences must be accommodated unless impracticable or expressed for an improper purpose
- Video camera monitoring of searches must now be turned off for all searches, removing the previous same-sex exception
- Mental health and public health facilities must consider gender preferences for patient searches
Parole reapplication restrictions
Gives the Parole Board greater discretion to set longer waiting periods before prisoners can reapply for parole after being refused, reducing trauma for victims.
- Maximum waiting period increased to 5 years for life-sentenced prisoners
- Maximum waiting period of 3 years for prisoners serving 10+ year sentences
- Maximum waiting period of 1 year for all other prisoners
- Board must consider the impact on victims when setting waiting periods
Prison safety assessments
Expands who can assess prisoners at risk of self-harm beyond doctors and psychologists, addressing workforce shortages.
- Social workers, occupational therapists, nurses and speech pathologists can now be appointed as 'authorised practitioners'
- Practitioners must meet competency and training requirements set out in policy
- Aims to enable faster safety order decisions for at-risk prisoners