Queensland Building and Construction Commission and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025

As shadow minister, supported the bill's digital reforms as Labor initiatives but strongly opposed clause 26 removing dual notification of serious safety incidents, citing the tragic death of Jason Garrels and arguing MOUs cannot substitute for statutory obligations.

“If the Crisafulli LNP government proceeds with the removal of the legislative requirement for licensees to notify both the QBCC and the Office of Industrial Relations of the same safety incident, then let it be on its head.”— 2025-11-20View Hansard

Introduced the bill as Minister, presenting it as tranche 3 of the Building Reg Reno reforms to modernise the QBCC through digital licensing and streamlined safety reporting.

“This bill is the next step in our Building Reg Reno—our commonsense overhaul of construction regulations in this state. It is about modernising the system, reducing red tape and helping our building regulator, the QBCC, to be more customer focused and fit for purpose.”— 2025-11-19View Hansard

Supported the bill as committee chair, arguing the mature information-sharing between the QBCC and OIR makes dual reporting unnecessary and that the opposition's criticism is unwarranted given the committee addressed all safety concerns.

“The legislative requirement remains; it is the method of providing the information that is slightly different and is streamlining the process.”— 2025-11-20View Hansard

Supported digital licensing reforms as Labor-initiated work but opposed clause 26 removing the dual notification requirement for serious safety incidents, warning the government will bear responsibility if information sharing fails.

“If information sharing between regulators fails as a result of this bill, responsibility for the fallout of incidents following this bill's assent will rest squarely on the shoulders of the Crisafulli government that chose to remove this protection.”— 2025-11-20View Hansard

Supported the bill as part of the broader Building Reg Reno reforms, highlighting the modernisation of digital licensing and streamlined safety notifications while maintaining safety standards.

“This bill represents a significant step forward for Queensland's building and construction industry, ensuring our regulatory framework is both modern and responsive to the evolving needs of the industry participants, consumers and the broader community.”— 2025-11-20View Hansard

As a licensed electrician and committee member, supported the digital licensing reforms but expressed grave concern about removing dual safety notification. Retold Jason Garrels' story and argued the few minutes of extra reporting could save lives.

“I hope that we do not hear of another death next year for the sake of sending another email.”— 2025-11-20View Hansard

Supported the bill as addressing Labor's housing crisis legacy through red-tape reduction and modernisation of the QBCC, noting the increased penalty for non-compliance from 80 to 100 penalty units.

“Now Queenslanders under the Crisafulli government can plan, plan, plan; dig, dig, big; build, build, build; and, importantly, save, save, save.”— 2025-11-20View Hansard

Strongly opposed clause 26, detailing Jason Garrels' fatal electrocution and how his father discovered months later the QBCC had not been notified. Argued the MOU can be varied or withdrawn at any time and urged the minister to move a simple amendment to legislate information sharing.

“Safety is not burdensome. Protecting the lives of young Queenslanders—young tradies, sparkies, chippies and TAs—is not an administrative burden and should not be characterised as one.”— 2025-11-20View Hansard

Supported the bill as practical reform that modernises the QBCC's regulatory framework through digital services while maintaining workplace safety obligations.

“This bill delivers long-overdue updates to the QBCC to make it a more productive, user-friendly and efficient regulator.”— 2025-11-20View Hansard

Supported the bill's digital transformation elements but rejected the removal of the dual notification requirement, arguing a memorandum of understanding can never substitute for legislative certainty and citing the powerful testimony of Michael Garrels.

“A memorandum of understanding can be allowed to lapse, ignored or torn up at any time.”— 2025-11-20View Hansard

Supported the bill as an important productivity measure, arguing no-one is kept safer by doing the same forms twice and criticising Labor for opposing higher penalties for non-reporting.

“No-one is kept safer by doing the same forms twice. No-one is kept safer at work by telling two regulators about an incident instead of one, especially when there are established and effective communication measures in place between those agencies.”— 2025-11-20View Hansard

Spoke passionately against clause 26, arguing the government is tearing up a life-saving safeguard with no evidence, no modelling and no case. Supported the bill's modernisation elements but strongly opposed removing dual reporting.

“This bill that we are considering today is really about whether a young apprentice makes it home from work or ends up in a coffin.”— 2025-11-20View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill as a signal to mum-and-dad tradies that the government has their back, arguing the legislation increases penalties while removing duplicative paperwork and will help unlock housing supply.

“We are going to unleash construction across the state of Queensland. We are going to make it easier for mum-and-dad businesses to build the sorts of homes that you want to own and you want to live in.”— 2025-11-20View Hansard

Supported the bill's digital reforms as Labor-initiated but could not support clause 26, arguing that replacing a legislated obligation with an MOU is a step in the wrong direction for worker safety.

“Removing the dual notification imperative is a step in the wrong direction, and we caution the government to retain robust statutory protections.”— 2025-11-20View Hansard

Supported the bill as a licensed electrician and refrigeration mechanic, arguing from personal trade experience that the streamlined reporting makes compliance easier and the increased penalties show the government is serious about safety.

“Corners are cut when there is a lack of time, and that is why these changes are so important.”— 2025-11-20View Hansard

Supported the digitisation amendments as continuing Labor's groundwork but opposed clause 26's removal of the dual notification requirement, arguing the consequences of a breakdown in information sharing could be catastrophic.

“We cannot support this clause and the changes that come from it.”— 2025-11-20View Hansard

Supported the bill as essential for regional Queensland, highlighting how builders in Townsville are held back by cumbersome paperwork and arguing the increased penalty from 80 to 100 penalty points strengthens safety.

“Please pardon the pun, but let’s build a brighter, more efficient future for Townsville and beyond.”— 2025-11-20View Hansard

Opposed clause 26's removal of dual reporting, arguing it can be a matter of life and death. Called what LNP members call red tape or duplication as protection for Queensland workers.

“LNP members may call dual reporting red tape or they may call it duplication; I call it protection and I call it looking after Queensland workers.”— 2025-11-20View Hansard

Supported the bill as critical to Queensland's housing agenda, arguing it creates a single source of truth reporting system and that Labor is voting against tougher penalties for failing to report safety incidents.

“Queenslanders expect integrity, they expect accountability and they expect that when something goes wrong on a worksite regulators know about it, quickly and clearly.”— 2025-11-20View Hansard

Supported digital licensing reforms as Labor-initiated but drew a firm line against clause 26, citing the QBCC's record of acting on over 900 safety notifications. Raised practical concerns about digital-only licences in correctional centres and hospitals.

“To remove this requirement now on the assumption that agencies will share information is to weaken a system that is demonstrably working.”— 2025-11-20View Hansard

Supported the bill as Environment Minister, sharing constituent stories about poor QBCC customer experiences and arguing the bill delivers long-overdue updates to make the regulator more productive and user-friendly.

“Aside from roads, particularly state roads... the second most significant complaint I and my office receive is around the QBCC.”— 2025-11-20View Hansard

Supported the digital components but strongly opposed clause 26, arguing the government is choosing convenience over safety and that the QBCC's record of acting on over 900 safety notifications proves the dual notification system works.

“We will never support removing a legislative safeguard that existed for one reason only: to prevent another tragedy like the death of Jason Garrels.”— 2025-11-20View Hansard

Supported the bill as Minister for Customer Services, highlighting the rollout of nine QBCC digital licences and demonstrating real-time digital verification on a Gold Coast construction site. Emphasised choice between physical and digital licences.

“Using my digital ID on my phone, I was able to do an electronic 'handshake' in real time with the contractor who had already downloaded his QBCC licence.”— 2025-11-20View Hansard

As the former industrial relations minister who delivered the 2017 dual notification reforms, strongly opposed clause 26. Argued the statutory obligation sends a message to licensees about their dual responsibilities and that notifying the QBCC takes only a phone call.

“I was very proud of it. I fought hard for it and delivered it along with the then minister and now Manager of Opposition Business.”— 2025-11-20View Hansard

Supported the bill as delivering long-overdue updates to the QBCC, noting that tradespeople in his electorate are frustrated by outdated QBCC paperwork requirements.

“They are brilliant at their jobs; however, the outdated rules of the QBCC leave them feeling frustrated and in despair just trying to complete the paperwork that the QBCC requires to update licences.”— 2025-11-20View Hansard

Supported the bill as modernising Queensland's building and construction sector, emphasising the benefits for regional builders in Rockhampton.

“This bill will modernise Queensland's building and construction sector, making it more productive, user friendly and efficient.”— 2025-11-20View Hansard

Spoke in strong support of the bill as part of the Building Reg Reno reforms to modernise the QBCC and streamline safety reporting.

“I rise today to speak in strong support of the Queensland Building and Construction Commission and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025.”— 2025-11-20View Hansard

Supported the bill as practical reform that modernises the QBCC and streamlines safety reporting for the building and construction industry.

“I rise to speak on the Queensland Building and Construction Commission and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025.”— 2025-11-20View Hansard

Supported the bill, highlighting the building and construction needs of Mundingburra and regional communities.

“In communities like mine in Mundingburra, these reforms are essential.”— 2025-11-20View Hansard

Supported the bill as part of the government's broader reform agenda to modernise the building industry and reduce regulatory burden.

“I rise to make my contribution on the Queensland Building and Construction Commission and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025.”— 2025-11-20View Hansard

Replied as Minister, defending clause 26 as delivering a faster, smarter safety notification system already started under Labor. Argued Labor's opposition to clause 26 means opposing higher penalties for non-reporting.

“Duplicating paperwork does not keep workers safe. What keeps workers safe is timely, accurate information getting to the right regulators as quickly as possible. That is exactly what this bill delivers.”— 2025-11-20View Hansard