Queensland Institute of Medical Research Bill 2025
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill replaces the nearly 80-year-old law governing the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) with a modern governance framework. It strengthens integrity safeguards for Council members, updates how the Institute Director is appointed, and creates a fairer system for rewarding researchers whose work is commercialised.
Who it affects
QIMR Council members face new integrity and disclosure requirements. Researchers and staff gain broader eligibility for incentive payments when their work is commercially successful. The general public benefits from stronger accountability at a key medical research institution.
Key changes
- Council members must now undergo criminal history checks and declare conflicts of interest, with a maximum penalty of 100 penalty units for failing to disclose relevant matters
- The Institute Director is now appointed by the Council with Ministerial approval, rather than by the Governor in Council, to speed up recruitment of top talent
- Commercialised incentive payments can now go to all significant contributors to research — not just named inventors — with caps of $10 million per item and $5 million per person per year before requiring Governor in Council approval
- Clear grounds for removing or disqualifying Council members are introduced, including insolvency, criminal convictions, and improper conduct
- The Council and Director can now delegate functions to appropriately qualified staff to improve day-to-day operations
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
▸Committee22 May 2025View Hansard
Referred to Health, Environment and Innovation Committee
5 members · Chair: Robert Molhoek
The Health, Environment and Innovation Committee examined two bills referred together: the Queensland Institute of Medical Research Bill 2025 and the Health Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2025. The committee recommended both be passed. The QIMR Bill modernises the governance of the Queensland Institute of Medical Research, adding commercialisation as a statutory function and allowing non-employees to receive incentive payments for intellectual property contributions. The Health Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) clarifies pharmacy business ownership regulations, transitions the state dust lung disease register to a national registry, and enables mosquito trapping to detect Japanese encephalitis virus.
Key findings (4)
- The QIMR Bill adds commercialisation of intellectual property as a statutory function and allows incentive payments to non-employees who contribute to intellectual property development
- The Health Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) addresses implementation issues in the Pharmacy Business Ownership Act 2024, closing a loophole allowing non-pharmacists to hold beneficial interests in pharmacy businesses through trusts
- The bill transitions the Queensland Notifiable Dust Lung Disease Register to the National Occupational Respiratory Disease Registry, removing duplicative reporting obligations for medical practitioners
- The committee found both bills compatible with human rights and consistent with fundamental legislative principles
Recommendations (1)
- The committee recommends that the Bill be passed.
Committee report tabled
▸Second Reading14 Oct 2025View Hansard
▸24 members spoke15 support9 mixed
As Minister for Health, introduced the bill to modernise QIMR's 80-year-old legislative framework. Strongly defended clause 11 transferring council appointment powers to the minister, citing QIMR's own support and precedent from other statutory bodies.
“This bill is about giving QIMR the legislative support it needs to continue this vital work. It strengthens integrity, improves governance and ensures the institute remains agile and competitive in a rapidly changing world.”— 2025-10-14View Hansard
As committee chair, supported the bill as a recognition of 80 years of world-class medical research. Highlighted the importance of commercialisation reform given grant success rates below 15 per cent.
“This bill is not simply a legislative update; it is a recognition of 80 years of world-class medical research and it ensures that one of Queensland's most valued institutions has the governance it needs to continue saving lives for generations to come.”— 2025-10-14View Hansard
Supported the bill's modernisation of QIMR but raised concerns about the council appointment process removing Governor in Council oversight, lack of clarity on how commercialisation benefits will be shared with early-career researchers, and insufficient transparency requirements for commercial arrangements.
“While we support the bill, we must ask: will the LNP support genuine reform or will they undermine the principles put forward in the bill through sloppy governance and a biased appointment process?”— 2025-10-14View Hansard
Supported the bill as modernising QIMR's governance to make it more attractive for international partnerships and investment. Emphasised the importance for regional Queenslanders who need access to cutting-edge treatments.
“This bill is not just about modernising an 80-year-old act; it is about ensuring Queensland continues to punch above its weight on the world stage.”— 2025-10-14View Hansard
Supported efforts to modernise QIMR and praised its research contributions, but strongly opposed clause 11 removing Governor in Council oversight of appointments, citing concerns about the government's record of appointing political allies to boards.
“Our concern is that ministers right across the cabinet have been appointing their mates with no background whatsoever—with no skills and experience whatsoever—to boards, to incredibly important decision-making bodies. That is why we are so against what is proposed in clause 11.”— 2025-10-14View Hansard
Supported the bill as ensuring QIMR stays globally competitive. Highlighted the personal significance of melanoma research for regional Queenslanders and the importance of flexible incentive payments for all research contributors.
“This bill honours the proud 80-year history of Queensland's Institute of Medical Research and gives it the tools it needs to keep operating successfully for decades to come.”— 2025-10-14View Hansard
Supported the bill's intent to modernise QIMR's legislative framework. Praised the broadened eligibility for incentive payments to reflect collaborative modern science and highlighted QIMR's contributions in cancer, mental health and COVID-19 research.
“The opposition supports the intent of these amendments. They are sensible reforms designed to value and empower the hardworking scientists, researchers, technicians, collaborators and professional staff who make the institute's success possible, regardless of their formal role description.”— 2025-10-14View Hansard
Supported the bill as strengthening QIMR's governance and enabling continued world-class research. As a registered nurse, highlighted the practical benefits of QIMR's research including the melanoma risk calculator, TMS depression trials and antibiotic-resistant infection prevention.
“This bill gives QIMR the legislative support it needs to continue its vital work. I would like to join the Minister for Health, Tim Nicholls, in thanking all of the researchers, innovators, inventors and support staff whose dedication has made Queensland a global leader in medical research.”— 2025-10-14View Hansard
Spoke in support of the bill, while criticising the government's cuts to skin cancer awareness campaigns despite QIMR's leading role in skin cancer research.
“It is our young people who will be the victims of skin cancer in time to come—young people and those most vulnerable, who rely on governments to protect them and to support them.”— 2025-10-14View Hansard
As Minister for Science and Innovation, supported the bill emphasising the importance of commercialisation not just for revenue but to retain research talent and ensure Queensland discoveries stay in the state. Highlighted QIMR's role in Queensland's innovation ecosystem.
“QIMR represents the very best of Queensland's science and innovation capability. It is where our brightest minds solve complex problems for our future and distil complex science into solutions that make the lives of all Queenslanders healthier and longer.”— 2025-10-14View Hansard
Supported changes that ensure QIMR goes from strength to strength, including incentive reforms, but had grave concerns about removing Governor in Council from the appointment process. Questioned why there was no right of appeal for directors facing disqualification.
“I do not know why you would want to remove the Governor in Council from the appointment process. Yes, it is an added step, but I think it is a very important step when we are talking about world-class research.”— 2025-10-14View Hansard
Supported the bill as providing a modern and practical framework for QIMR. Highlighted the fairer incentive payment system and the importance of QIMR's recent research into depression and breast cancer treatment.
“As QIMR marks its 80th year, this bill ensures it has the right legislative foundation to continue its vital work well into the future.”— 2025-10-14View Hansard
Supported the majority of the bill's changes including fairer incentive payments and increased transparency provisions, but opposed the removal of Governor in Council oversight of appointments to the QIMR council.
“The Labor opposition supports the majority of the changes proposed by this bill. However, we do not support the removal of Governor in Council oversight of appointments to the council of QIMR.”— 2025-10-14View Hansard
Supported the bill as improving functionality, governance and continuity for QIMR. Spoke personally about the impact of QIMR's haemochromatosis research on her family.
“We cannot expect our professionals to continue this great work under an outdated act. We need to unlock legislation that releases QIMR to continue to deliver the excellent research that they have become renowned for.”— 2025-10-14View Hansard
Focused heavily on opposing clause 11, arguing the removal of Governor in Council oversight of appointments undermines the Westminster system and the key principles established in the original 1945 legislation. Also raised concerns about no provision ensuring women are included on the council.
“How apt those words are from Mr Nicklin, whom those opposite hold in such high regard—that he would say those words as a key principle of the bill. In fact, he went on further to say—'Then we have one member nominated by the Minister to represent the Government. What is the Minister's intention there?'”— 2025-10-14View Hansard
Supported the bill as backing QIMR's research capacity, particularly in melanoma prevention for Far North Queensland where UV exposure is intense year-round. Highlighted QIMR's recent study on genetic risk factors for depression in women.
“Queenslanders for generations to come. I support this bill and congratulate the minister and his team on taking strong action.”— 2025-10-14View Hansard
Praised QIMR's 80-year legacy and life-saving research, but opposed clause 11 removing Governor in Council oversight of appointments, arguing it reduces scrutiny, transparency and accountability. Drew on the original 1945 debate to show both sides of politics valued Governor in Council appointments.
“To remove the accountability and transparency process of a Governor in Council appointment does give rise to the concerns the opposition has and it is a clause that we cannot support as a result.”— 2025-10-14View Hansard
Supported the bill as ensuring QIMR's governance is fit for purpose. Highlighted Clive Berghofer's $50 million donation and the importance of the institute for regional Queenslanders in Toowoomba, particularly in the context of the new single campus hospital.
“First of all, I will say how pleased I am to support a bill that modernises one of Queensland's oldest and most respected research institutions.”— 2025-10-14View Hansard
As a specialist physician, supported the bill's modernisation of QIMR's governance framework. Emphasised QIMR's role within the broader Herston Health Precinct ecosystem and its collaborations with the University of Queensland's Institute for Molecular Bioscience.
“This legislation is about giving QIMR the legislative support it needs to continue that work, to keep being a respected leader in translational science and to strengthen the partnerships that define Queensland's health and innovation landscape.”— 2025-10-14View Hansard
Supported the bill as a modern, fit-for-purpose framework for QIMR. Shared personal experience visiting QIMR's labs including witnessing 3D-printed bio-organic breast tissue scaffolding and growing human hearts in Petri dishes for COVID vaccine testing.
“I rise to support the Queensland Institute of Medical Research Bill 2025, a bill that reinforces our government's focus on improving health outcomes, strengthening integrity and ensuring Queensland remains at the forefront of world-class medical research.”— 2025-10-14View Hansard
Supported the majority of the bill including fairer incentive payments for researchers, but opposed the removal of Governor in Council oversight of council appointments, describing it as jeopardising integrity and transparency.
“We do not support the removal of the Governor in Council oversight in the appointment of the council of the Queensland Institute of Medical Research. We believe that the removal of this jeopardises the integrity and the transparency of those appointments.”— 2025-10-14View Hansard
Supported the bill as modernising the legislative framework for QIMR. Highlighted the significance of melanoma and mental health research for his regional electorate, and noted that QIMR and its council were fully consulted and support the changes.
“I am proud to be part of a government that can support and seek carriage of this bill so ably crafted by the minister in consultation with the sector at large, especially QIMR and the council itself, who were fully consulted through this development and support the changes.”— 2025-10-14View Hansard
Supported most of the bill including incentive payments for researchers, but strongly opposed the removal of Governor in Council oversight of appointments. Criticised the committee report for not adequately addressing the appointment issue and drew on the 1945 debates of both Tom Foley and Frank Nicklin to argue for retaining Governor in Council oversight.
“We do not support the removal of the Governor in Council and oversight of the appointments—this is too important to be undermined.”— 2025-10-14View Hansard
Supported the bill's modernisation of incentive payments and transparency provisions but opposed the removal of Governor in Council oversight of council appointments, arguing it risks politicisation of a critical scientific institution.
“The Labor opposition supports the Queensland Institute of Medical Research Bill 2025. We welcome the measures that modernise the institute's governance, strengthen accountability and deliver fairer recognition for the hardworking scientists, researchers and staff who make the QIMR one of Queensland's greatest scientific assets.”— 2025-10-14View Hansard
▸In Detail14 Oct 2025View Hansard
▸1 clause vote (all passed)
Vote on clause 11
Vote on whether to retain clause 11, which transfers the power to appoint and remove QIMR Council members from the Governor in Council to the Health Minister. The ALP opposed the clause arguing it reduces transparency and enables political appointments, while the LNP government argued it is consistent with other statutory appointment processes and was supported by QIMR itself.
The clause was kept in the bill.
A vote on whether a specific clause should remain in the bill as written.
▸Show individual votesHide individual votes
Ayes (50)
Noes (35)
Spoke against clause 11 during Consideration in Detail, arguing it removes a basic safeguard of transparency by allowing the health minister alone to appoint all QIMR Council members without cabinet or Governor in Council scrutiny.
“Clause 11 reduces transparency and accountability and weakens oversight and reduces confidence that these appointments are made based on merit rather than political interference.”— 2025-10-14View Hansard