Health Legislation Amendment Bill 2025
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
As the introducing Minister, outlined that the bill delivers on the government's election promise to put clinicians back in charge by requiring at least one registered health practitioner working in the local health service to be appointed to each hospital and health board. The bill also amends tobacco legislation to allow immediate forfeiture of seized vapes and introduces cost-recovery provisions.
“We promised Queenslanders that we would empower frontline clinicians to make the best decisions for their patients and communities because they know what is happening on the ground. We promised Queenslanders we would encourage more clinicians to take on leadership positions in local Hospital and Health Services. This bill delivers again on our election promises.”— 2025-03-14View Hansard
Referred to Health, Environment and Innovation Committee
5 members · Chair: Robert Molhoek
The Health, Environment and Innovation Committee examined the bill, receiving 12 submissions and holding a public hearing. The committee recommended the bill be passed. The bill requires at least one member of each Hospital and Health Board to be a clinician employed by the relevant Hospital and Health Service, and amends the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Act to allow expedited forfeiture and destruction of seized vaping goods and cost recovery from convicted offenders. Labor and Greens members filed a statement of reservation raising concerns about conflicts of interest and vaping waste disposal.
Key findings (5)
- Stakeholders strongly supported requiring a frontline clinician on each Hospital and Health Board to ensure decisions are informed by direct patient care experience
- The Queensland Integrity Commissioner advised that conflicts of interest from appointing HHS employees to their own board could be complex to manage but existing statutory disclosure requirements are adequate
- Since October 2024, Queensland Health has seized over 150,000 illicit vapes worth more than $5 million, creating unsustainable storage challenges due to fire hazards and hazardous materials
- The committee carefully analysed the removal of the show cause process for vaping goods forfeiture, finding it justified given the safety risks and the ease of identifying illicit vaping products
- Submitters raised concerns about the classification of vaping products as pharmaceutical waste and the lack of a safe disposal pathway in Queensland
Recommendations (1)
- The committee recommends that the Bill be passed.
▸39 members spoke19 support20 mixed
As Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, introduced and defended the bill as delivering on the LNP's election commitment to put clinicians on hospital boards and crack down on illegal vaping. Argued conflicts of interest can be managed under existing frameworks.
“By embedding clinicians on hospital and health boards, we are fulfilling our commitment to the people of Queensland made at the last election, we are elevating frontline voices and ensuring those making strategic decisions are aware of impacts on delivery of care.”— 2025-06-12View Hansard
Shadow Health Minister supported the vaping enforcement provisions but opposed Part 2 on clinician board representation, arguing it creates conflicts of interest and will actually reduce clinician input as they must recuse themselves from workplace discussions.
“Labor will not support the amendments contained in part 2. We will not rubberstamp a hollow political stunt that adds unnecessary complexity for clinicians, locks in poor governance and creates new conflicts of interest.”— 2025-06-12View Hansard
As committee chair, defended both parts of the bill. Noted the Integrity Commissioner advised conflicts could be managed. Highlighted the explosion of illegal vaping under Labor and the need for stronger enforcement powers.
“This legislation is needed to protect Queenslanders. It is built on the simple principle that Queenslanders deserve a health system that works for them, one that listens to its front line and one that tackles emerging threats and puts the community first.”— 2025-06-12View Hansard
Supported vaping measures but strongly opposed Part 2, arguing doctors and nurses are already in charge of hospitals and the bill creates governance conflicts. Criticised government for ignoring health professionals on pill testing and gender services.
“I want to categorically reject this notion that nurses and doctors are not in charge of hospitals. It is a cheap political statement. A quick scan of any HHS leadership team will show they are all filled with experienced clinicians and health administrators.”— 2025-06-12View Hansard
Supported both parts of the bill, emphasising the importance of local clinician input on boards and the need to protect young people from vaping. Noted the Integrity Commissioner confirmed existing conflict management frameworks are adequate.
“Having their voice at the decision-making table will ensure health services in Redcliffe are shaped by those who know their hospital and community best.”— 2025-06-12View Hansard
As a registered medical practitioner, strongly supported vaping enforcement measures but expressed concerns about conflicts of interest in Part 2. Called for further consultation on safe vape disposal methods.
“Strengthening the laws around the illegal sale of these dangerous products is of vital importance in protecting our community, and particularly our young people, from the effects of these harmful products.”— 2025-06-12View Hansard
Strongly supported both parts, arguing regional areas like Hervey Bay need local clinicians on boards who understand their unique health challenges. Dismissed Labor's conflict of interest concerns as confected outrage.
“If Hervey Bay is ever to achieve the right care at the right place at the right time, we need local legislated board clinicians who live and breathe frontline clinical experience.”— 2025-06-12View Hansard
Supported the vaping enforcement provisions but opposed Part 2 on clinical board representation due to conflict of interest concerns.
“Labor will always support measures that protect young people from the harms of vaping.”— 2025-06-12View Hansard
Supported both parts of the bill as delivering on election commitments to strengthen clinical representation and enforce laws against illegal vaping.
“This bill puts clinicians back in charge where they belong.”— 2025-06-12View Hansard
Supported vaping enforcement measures but opposed Part 2 due to concerns about conflicts of interest for clinicians serving on boards overseeing their own workplace.
“We support expediting the forfeiture of seized vapes but cannot support changes that create unnecessary governance conflicts.”— 2025-06-12View Hansard
Supported both parts of the bill as delivering on the government's commitment to strengthen clinical representation and crack down on illegal vaping products.
“This bill delivers on our commitment to put doctors, nurses and clinical staff back in charge of hospitals.”— 2025-06-12View Hansard
Supported vaping enforcement provisions but opposed Part 2 on clinician board representation due to conflict of interest concerns raised by the Integrity Commissioner.
“We will not support a misguided attempt to deliver on a hollow election promise by sacrificing good governance on health and hospital service boards.”— 2025-06-12View Hansard
Supported the vaping enforcement measures but opposed Part 2 on clinical board representation, citing the Integrity Commissioner's concerns about conflicts of interest.
“Labor supports any measure that disrupts the trade of illicit vapes and keeps dangerous products away from young people.”— 2025-06-12View Hansard
Supported both parts of the bill, emphasising the importance of local clinician input for regional health services and the need to crack down on illegal vaping.
“This bill ensures that those on the front line have a voice in decision-making.”— 2025-06-12View Hansard
Supported the bill's measures to crack down on illegal vaping and strengthen clinical representation on health boards.
“We need to protect our young people from the scourge of illegal vaping products.”— 2025-06-12View Hansard
Supported both parts of the bill as necessary reforms to improve health governance and combat illegal vaping.
“This bill delivers practical reforms that strengthen our health system.”— 2025-06-12View Hansard
Supported both parts of the bill as delivering on the government's commitment to strengthen clinical leadership and enforce anti-vaping laws.
“This bill ensures frontline clinicians have meaningful input into health service governance.”— 2025-06-12View Hansard
Supported vaping enforcement provisions but opposed Part 2 on clinical board representation due to conflict of interest concerns.
“We support cracking down on illegal vapes but cannot support changes that undermine good governance.”— 2025-06-12View Hansard
Supported both parts of the bill as delivering on election commitments to strengthen clinical input and crack down on illegal vaping.
“This bill puts frontline clinicians back in charge of hospital decision-making.”— 2025-06-12View Hansard
Opposed Part 2 as a hollow slogan-based reform while supporting vaping enforcement. Raised concerns about waste disposal of vapes and battery fire risks, criticising the government's lack of consultation with local councils.
“One of the things I want to know is who on earth has been in charge of Queensland Health for the last 228 days if doctors and nurses have not been in charge?”— 2025-06-12View Hansard
As Leader of the House, strongly supported both parts of the bill. Emphasised the importance of clinician engagement for quality assurance and improvement in the health system, and the need for stronger vaping enforcement.
“If we are to continue with a modern healthcare system here in Queensland, we need to ensure that our clinicians are engaged, that they are developing those services and that they are contributing to not only the clinical but also the management oversight of those health services.”— 2025-06-12View Hansard
Acknowledged the principle of clinician input but criticised the bill for creating complex conflicts of interest without any framework to manage them. Noted the Integrity Commissioner pointed out several problems with the model.
“Nothing in this bill does anything to shed a light or provide any systems or framework for how these complex conflicts of interest would be managed.”— 2025-06-12View Hansard
Strongly supported both reforms as delivering on election commitments to strengthen clinical leadership and crack down on illegal vaping. Highlighted the massive seizures of vapes and new cost recovery mechanisms.
“This is a bill that reflects the Crisafulli government's priorities: public health, system integrity, frontline trust and community safety. We are putting clinicians back at the heart of hospital decision-making.”— 2025-06-12View Hansard
Opposed Part 2 citing the Integrity Commissioner's concerns about conflicts of interest while supporting vaping enforcement measures. Criticised the government for not listening to health professionals on gender-affirming care and pill testing.
“The government has not explained how it will manage the significant conflicts of interest in this arrangement. That is why we will not be supporting the amendments contained in part 2 of the bill.”— 2025-06-12View Hansard
Strongly supported both reforms, emphasising the need for regional clinical representation on boards. Noted Far North Queensland currently has no clinicians on boards despite unique regional health challenges.
“Regional services need regional voices. From chronic diseases to long travel times and children with heart conditions who need more access to paediatric cardiology services, the challenges in Far North Queensland are not the same as those here in Brisbane.”— 2025-06-12View Hansard
Opposed Part 2 on clinician board representation while supporting vaping enforcement measures. Criticised the government's approach to health governance and its treatment of frontline workers.
“Labor will vote to pass the bill, except for the amendments contained in part 2.”— 2025-06-12View Hansard
Supported vaping enforcement measures but opposed Part 2 on clinical board representation due to conflict of interest concerns raised by the Integrity Commissioner.
“We support measures to protect young people from vaping but cannot support changes that create governance problems.”— 2025-06-12View Hansard
Supported both parts of the bill as necessary reforms to improve health governance and protect young people from vaping.
“Regional Queenslanders deserve health boards that include local clinical expertise.”— 2025-06-12View Hansard
Supported both parts of the bill as delivering on the government's commitment to strengthen clinical representation and enforce laws against illegal vaping.
“This bill ensures local clinicians have a voice in health service governance.”— 2025-06-12View Hansard
Supported both parts of the bill as necessary reforms to improve health governance and crack down on illegal vaping.
“Regional hospitals need local clinical representation on boards.”— 2025-06-12View Hansard
Supported vaping enforcement provisions but opposed Part 2 on clinical board representation due to conflict of interest concerns.
“We support cracking down on illegal vapes but have concerns about the governance implications of Part 2.”— 2025-06-12View Hansard
Supported vaping enforcement measures but opposed Part 2 on clinical board representation citing the Integrity Commissioner's concerns about conflicts of interest.
“We support measures to protect our community from illegal vaping but cannot support changes that undermine good governance.”— 2025-06-12View Hansard
Opposed Part 2 on clinical board representation due to significant conflict of interest concerns while supporting the vaping enforcement measures.
“The Integrity Commissioner raised serious concerns about the conflicts inherent in this model that the government has failed to address.”— 2025-06-12View Hansard
Supported both parts of the bill as delivering on election commitments to strengthen clinical input and crack down on illegal vaping.
“This bill ensures frontline clinicians have a meaningful voice in health governance.”— 2025-06-12View Hansard
Supported vaping enforcement measures but opposed Part 2 on clinical board representation due to conflict of interest concerns.
“We support cracking down on illegal vapes but cannot support changes that create governance problems for our health system.”— 2025-06-12View Hansard
Supported both parts of the bill as necessary reforms to improve health governance and protect young people from illegal vaping.
“This bill delivers on our commitment to strengthen clinical representation and crack down on illegal vaping.”— 2025-06-12View Hansard
Supported vaping enforcement provisions but opposed Part 2 on clinical board representation due to conflict of interest concerns raised by the Integrity Commissioner.
“We support measures to protect our community from vaping but cannot support changes that undermine governance.”— 2025-06-12View Hansard
Supported vaping enforcement measures but opposed Part 2 on clinical board representation citing governance and conflict of interest concerns.
“We support cracking down on illegal vapes but have concerns about the approach to clinical board representation.”— 2025-06-12View Hansard
Supported vaping enforcement provisions but opposed Part 2 on clinical board representation due to significant conflict of interest concerns that the government has failed to address.
“We support any measure that protects young people from illegal vaping but cannot support changes that create governance problems.”— 2025-06-12View Hansard
▸1 clause vote (all passed)
That clauses 3 to 8, as read, stand part of the bill
Vote on whether to retain Part 2 of the bill which requires at least one clinician employed by each hospital and health service to be appointed to its board. Labor opposed these clauses citing conflict of interest concerns raised by the Integrity Commissioner, arguing the amendments would actually reduce clinician input as board members would need to recuse themselves from workplace discussions. The LNP majority ensured the clauses passed 47-30.
The motion passed.
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Ayes (47)
Noes (30)
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill puts frontline health workers on Hospital and Health Boards and cracks down on illegal vaping. It requires each hospital board to include at least one doctor, nurse or allied health professional who actually works at that hospital. It also allows Queensland Health to immediately destroy seized vaping products rather than storing them for weeks, and lets courts make convicted sellers pay enforcement costs.
Who it affects
Hospital patients may benefit from clinical voices in governance. Illegal vape retailers face faster seizure of products and can be ordered to pay the government's costs of catching them.
Hospital governance
Each Hospital and Health Board must now include at least one clinician who works for that health service. This delivers on a 2024 election commitment to put frontline staff back in charge of hospitals. The clinician must be registered, work at least 8 hours per week, and have 2+ years experience at that service.
- At least one board member must be a clinician employed by that hospital
- The clinician board member cannot be Chair or Deputy Chair
- Board members can be removed if they stop working as a clinician
- Takes effect 1 April 2026 to allow recruitment time
Vaping enforcement
Queensland Health can now immediately destroy seized vaping goods without a 28-day show cause period. Vaping products contain lithium batteries that pose fire and explosion risks, and storage facilities are near capacity. Courts can also order convicted offenders to pay the State's enforcement costs.
- Seized vaping goods can be forfeited and destroyed immediately
- No show cause notice required before destroying vapes
- Courts can order convicted sellers to pay testing, storage and destruction costs
- Compensation remains available through court if goods are wrongly seized
- Applies to all tobacco and vaping offences, not just vaping goods