Corrective Services (Parole Board) Amendment Bill 2025

Strongly supported both bills, criticising the Greens' dissenting report as disrespectful to police and fearmongering. Praised the work of frontline police officers and the Jack Beasley Foundation.

“Jack's Law came directly from community-led advocacy, tragically driven by a heinous crime robbing a young man of his life and his parents of a son.”— 2025-06-11View Hansard

Spoke specifically against the late toll amendments introduced to the bill, calling them a sneaky attempt to make it easier to introduce and increase tolls. Did not oppose the underlying Parole Board amendments.

“These amendments look technical but their implications are far-reaching. They quietly pave the way for tolls to be declared on Queensland roads with less scrutiny and less transparency.”— 2025-06-11View Hansard

Introduced the Parole Board bill as part of the cognate debate, arguing it rectifies a legislative gap ensuring community safety in parole decisions.

“This bill amends the Corrective Services Act 2006 to rectify a legislative gap and ensure the Parole Board Queensland must review all decisions made by individual board members to leave parolees in the community.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard

Supports both bills while criticising the government for introducing the Parole Board bill as standalone legislation rather than incorporating it into the Making Queensland Safer Bill. Raised concerns about lack of transparency and resourcing.

“Jack's Law represents a careful, considered, evidence-based approach to tackling knife crime.”— 2025-06-11View Hansard

Spoke against the toll amendments in consideration in detail, calling them a sneaky attempt to make it easier to toll roads including the Story Bridge. Did not oppose the underlying Parole Board amendments.

“These laws are a sneaky and shameless attempt to make it easier to toll roads—roads such as the Story Bridge and the Coomera Connector.”— 2025-06-11View Hansard

Supported the bill as clarifying legislation but criticised the minister's politicisation of the issue, noting the practice was already occurring under existing powers.

“The opposition will be supporting this bill as well, but that support should not be mistaken for congratulations.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard

Strongly supported both bills, criticising Labor's previous red tape and bureaucratic hurdles that made Jack's Law difficult for police to use. Tabled correspondence showing his advocacy for permanent wanding powers since 2023.

“We are listening. We are acting. We are delivering the fresh start that Queensland voted for.”— 2025-06-11View Hansard

Spoke against the toll amendments, calling them disrespectful to the Beasley family and expressing concern about impacts on Logan Motorway users in her electorate.

“I think what the LNP has done tonight by bringing in these amendments is actually really disrespectful to the Beasley family.”— 2025-06-11View Hansard

As Minister for Corrective Services, strongly defended the bill as fixing a dangerous legislative gap left by Labor that prioritised prisoner rights over community safety.

“Community safety matters to us on this side of the House.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard

As former police minister who introduced Jack's Law, supported both bills. Noted the Parole Board bill ratifies existing practice. Questioned the minister about wand availability for all officers and queried whether board practice had stopped pending legislation.

“Jack's Law does make a difference: by detecting knives you can save lives.”— 2025-06-11View Hansard

Expressed concern about the toll amendments, particularly regarding potential tolling of the Story Bridge in her electorate where footpaths are already closed for repairs.

“I am shocked if the government has decided instead to put a toll on the Story Bridge and make my residents pay for the restoration of the bridge.”— 2025-06-11View Hansard

Supported the bill as a clarification of existing practice, noting concerns about retrospective provisions but acknowledging the importance of consistent oversight of parole decisions.

“I will let the House in on a little secret: this is not an expansion of the Parole Board's powers; it is a clarification.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard

Strongly supported both bills, noting his long Gold Coast connection and praising the Beasley family's advocacy. Criticised Labor's bureaucratic hurdles that prevented effective use of Jack's Law.

“As Belinda Beasley said it best: 'Every weapon off the streets is a potential life saved.'”— 2025-06-11View Hansard

Strongly opposed the toll amendments in consideration in detail, noting lack of consultation and concern about future toll increases on the Logan Motorway affecting his constituents.

“Why are you sneaking these amendments into this bill on such an important night? Why are you undermining the goodwill we had in this place?”— 2025-06-11View Hansard

As Committee Chair, supported the bill as addressing a substantial gap in the parole framework, praising the minister for acting quickly on the issue identified by the new Parole Board President.

“It is important for us to understand two parts. First of all, going forward from here it is important to ensure that the board has the law on its side.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard

Supported Jack's Law, praising the member for Morayfield. On the Parole Board bill, criticised government rhetoric as overblown, noting his wife served as a Professional Board Member and the practice already existed.

“I am not going to be lectured to by those opposite that this is some massive reform. I have been woken by these calls in the middle of the night.”— 2025-06-11View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill as fixing Labor's failure to provide community safeguards equal to those for prisoners in parole decisions.

“Labor gave convicted criminals more legal safeguards than the innocent Queenslanders they were released among. What we saw was a system that put prisoners first, while victims were an afterthought.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard

As former police officer, supported both bills. Praised the Beasley family's advocacy and emphasised the importance of operational certainty for frontline police. Noted the Parole Board's vital role in the criminal justice system.

“Brett and Belinda, I can tell you that you are making Jack very proud wherever he is. Well done on your efforts. As your motto says, every knife detected is another life potentially saved.”— 2025-06-11View Hansard

Supported the bill as responsible clarification rather than a correction, noting the Parole Board has been reviewing all decisions since 2022 under existing powers.

“The Queensland opposition will be supporting this bill as a responsible clarification, not a correction.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard

Supported both bills, referencing local knife crime tragedy of Angus Beaumont in Redcliffe. As chair of Redcliffe Crime Stoppers, noted community demand for these reforms.

“I want my community to know that I will stand with them and fight for these laws before other lives are lost. These laws will save lives.”— 2025-06-11View Hansard

Supported the bill as largely unnecessary since the policy was already achieved through existing practice, criticising the flawed explanatory notes and committee process.

“What we said in our statement of reservation is that in many ways this bill was unnecessary because the legislative change needed could have simply been added into another bill.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard

Supported both bills, praising the government's suite of community safety reforms. Also acknowledged Marine Rescue Queensland volunteers and SES members from his electorate.

“We have been supportive of Jack's Law from day one. Today's improvements will make it better and more effective than ever before.”— 2025-06-11View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill as important for community safety in his electorate near a corrective services facility, praising the closure of the legislative gap.

“The community is asking, 'Who is looking out for us?' This bill is the answer.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard

Supported both bills, reflecting on the cultural shift the legislation represents. As former publican, noted the creeping knife culture in Queensland and praised the Beasley family for their advocacy.

“Out of the senseless death of Jack, we now see legislation that I think will pass this House with support from all sides, and it is a turning point in the culture of Queensland.”— 2025-06-11View Hansard

Expressed concerns about the bill making it easier to revoke parole, viewing it as part of a punitive approach rather than supporting rehabilitation.

“We are effectively seeing a government trying to make it as easy to revoke a person's liberty as it is to help them stay out on parole.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard

As Transport Minister, supported both bills and defended the toll amendments as administrative in nature. Criticised Labor's previous bureaucratic approach to Jack's Law.

“We are listening to Queenslanders and we are listening to our police. We have heard that the old framework was difficult, complex and almost unworkable.”— 2025-06-11View Hansard

Supported the bill as common sense oversight, ensuring that decisions not to suspend parole are reviewed by the full board.

“No one person should have the power to risk the safety of a whole community without putting proper checks in place.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard

Supported making Jack's Law permanent, acknowledging it as a Labor initiative and praising the member for Morayfield. Strongly criticised the late toll amendments as sneaky and contrary to transparency principles.

“Why does the LNP always defer to being sneaky, slick and slippery? We know that is the character and form of their leader, but why are they doing it this way?”— 2025-06-11View Hansard

Supported the bill as merely clarifying legislation that validates existing practice, rejecting government claims that Labor prioritised perpetrators over victims.

“This is merely a clarifying piece of legislation. That is all it is. Stop this ridiculousness of coming in here with these insulting accusations.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard

Supported Jack's Law permanent, acknowledging the Beasley family and the member for Morayfield's work. Strongly criticised the late toll amendments as disrespectful to the Beasley family and dodgy.

“It is a shame, though, that we now have last-minute amendments that take away from some of the good work that has happened to recognise families like the Beasleys.”— 2025-06-11View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill as correcting a substantial gap in the parole framework, extensively quoting the Parole Board President to refute Labor's claims there was no legislative gap.

“Queensland Labor's desperate foray into section 205 of the Corrective Services Act 2006 and citing the Queensland Court of Appeal decision in Foster v Shaddock & Ors is simply a distraction from the existing substantial procedural gap.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard

As Police Minister, delivered reply to second reading debate. Defended both bills, criticised Labor's coded opposition, and rejected claims that the Parole Board changes were merely clarifying. Thanked QPS officers and the Beasley family.

“Tonight we honour Jack and ensure his legacy lives on.”— 2025-06-11View Hansard

Supported the bill as closing a loophole that mandated protections for offenders but not for the community, criticising Labor for letting this gap exist.

“How on earth did Labor let that loophole exist? How could they mandate protections for offenders but not for the community?”— 2025-06-10View Hansard

Supported the bill as closing a dangerous loophole that allowed single board members to overrule QCS suspension recommendations without review.

“We are closing Labor's loophole. We are restoring real-time accountability.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard

Supported the bill as placing victims' rights front and centre, noting it will fix yet another Labor failure.

“In short, we are fixing yet another Labor failure and giving the Parole Board the power it needs to do its job: to make decisions that keep the Queensland community safe.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard

Supported the bill as providing legislative clarity rather than a correction, noting the Parole Board has been using review processes since 2022.

“This bill is not a correction; it provides legislative clarity.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard

Supported the bill as correcting a longstanding legislative gap in parole suspension decisions, ensuring community protection through full board review.

“This bill corrects that imbalance. It ensures that when Queensland Corrective Services requests a suspension due to an individual's behaviour... all decisions... must be reviewed by the full Parole Board.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard

Supported the bill as clarifying provisions for existing practice, noting the opposition will not oppose it.

“As this bill is of a clarifying nature, the opposition will not be opposing it.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard

Supported the bill as reorienting the parole system to prioritise victims' rights, congratulating the minister and new Parole Board President.

“The corrective services bill certainly enhances community safety. I welcome the changes that correct the balance between the rights of victims and the rights of offenders.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard

Supported the bill as providing important safeguards for community safety through ensuring all parole decisions are reviewed by the full board.

“Parole is not a privilege or an entitlement. It comes with stringent conditions intended to prevent reoffending and contribute positively to community safety.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard

Supported the bill as an administrative adjustment, noting the Parole Board has already been reviewing all single-member decisions since 2022.

“From the reading of this bill, it appears to be an administrative adjustment as the Parole Board have already been reviewing all single-member decisions since 2022.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard

Supported the bill as correcting a legislative oversight to ensure community safety is not sidelined in parole decisions.

“This legislation is needed, and reform must be progressed in order to correct a legislative oversight as well as to ensure that previous board decisions made in good faith are valid and enforceable.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard

Supported the bill as confirming the board's power to review all individual decisions for consistency and safety.

“This bill inserts a clear clause into section 208C confirming the power to review all decisions, and it affirms all decisions made under this practice.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard

Supported the bill as reorienting the parole system to prioritise victims' rights when parole decisions are made.

“This bill does something important in the parole system and that is to reorient it to put the rights of victims at the top of the list for consideration when parole decisions are being made.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard

Supported the bill as closing a loophole in the parole system and providing legal certainty for past decisions.

“This bill puts an end to that confusion. It makes it crystal clear that the Parole Board can confirm, set aside or substitute its decision when reviewing a matter referred from an individual member.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard

Supported the bill while strongly criticising it as unnecessary since the practice is already occurring, and faulting the explanatory notes as deficient.

“We have clarifying amendments being brought forward because that is what the government wants, not because there is a gap in current legislation.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard

Supported the bill as ensuring community safety through proper oversight of parole decisions.

“The Corrective Services (Parole Board) Amendment Bill ensures that decisions affecting community safety are subject to proper review.”— 2025-06-10View Hansard