Major Sports Facilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill updates Queensland's major sports facilities and major events laws. It removes liquor licensing barriers so Gold Coast stadiums can host concerts until 10:30pm like Suncorp Stadium, significantly increases penalties for ticket scalping, modernises the Stadiums Queensland board, and improves the flexibility of event regulation. The bill was passed with amendment.
Who it affects
Gold Coast residents gain better local access to concerts, while those near stadiums may experience later evening noise. All event-goers benefit from stronger ticket scalping protections, and stadium operators on the Gold Coast gain a level playing field with Brisbane for attracting live entertainment.
Key changes
- Gold Coast stadiums (People First Stadium and Cbus Super Stadium) can now host concerts until 10:30pm, overriding liquor licensing noise restrictions that effectively required a 10pm finish
- Maximum penalties for ticket scalping increased to 135 penalty units for individuals and 680 for corporations, aligning with other Australian states
- The offence of buying a scalped ticket is removed so people are not deterred from reporting scalpers
- Stadiums Queensland board gains a deputy chairperson role, skill-based appointment criteria, and formal disqualification grounds for criminal convictions or insolvency
- Drones are now included in the definition of 'aircraft' for unauthorised advertising rules at major sports facilities
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
▸Committee12 Feb 2026View Hansard
Referred to State Development, Infrastructure and Works Committee
6 members · Chair: Jim McDonald
▸Second Reading12 Feb 2026View Hansard
▸19 members spoke12 support7 mixed
As the responsible minister, introduced the bill and moved all amendments. Championed the reforms as modernising stadium regulation, strengthening ticket scalping penalties, improving governance of Stadiums Queensland, fast-tracking 2032 Olympic infrastructure delivery, and reforming the Racing Queensland board.
“This bill ends the era of archaic inconsistency with our stadiums. The new regulatory framework would effectively allow for concerts at these venues to be held until the industry standard of 10.30 pm instead of the current 10.00 pm curfew required in practice by liquor licensing constraints.”— 2026-02-12View Hansard
Announced the opposition would support the bill, agreeing with its objectives on modernising stadium management, strengthening ticket scalping protections and improving Stadiums Queensland governance, while criticising the late circulation of amendments that bypassed committee scrutiny.
“The opposition will be supporting this bill. We do so not because it is perfect but because, on balance, it enhances some areas of law and regulation which will support major sports facilities and major events into the future.”— 2026-02-12View Hansard
As committee chair, praised the bill's objectives to make Queensland competitive for major events and concerts, highlighted the committee's work on ticket scalping provisions, and welcomed the Olympics delivery plan amendments.
“I can tell honourable members that Queensland is open for business. We are here to make sure we have major events right across the state.”— 2026-02-12View Hansard
Supported the original bill as sensible but strongly criticised the late-circulated amendments adding projects to the BOPGA Act, arguing they bypass normal planning, heritage and environmental laws without parliamentary scrutiny. Raised concerns about the Deputy Premier's property interests along the proposed Wave rail line.
“These amendments have added these projects to a legislative schedule which switches off normal planning, heritage and environmental laws.”— 2026-02-12View Hansard
Supported the bill as beneficial for his electorate and Queensland, highlighting the removal of the 10 pm concert curfew, increased ticket scalping penalties, updated drone provisions, and improved governance for Stadiums Queensland.
“The proposed changes will better protect them from illegal scalpers and offer greater flexibility regarding event timing.”— 2026-02-12View Hansard
Supported the bill as sensible legislation with proportionate mechanisms, but argued the policy direction originated under the previous Labor government's 2024 consultation on extending stadium finishing times. Advocated for greater investment in sporting infrastructure in regional Cairns.
“We on this side of the chamber are very happy to support it. Its objectives are sensible, its mechanisms are proportionate and its outcomes align with the realities of modern major event delivery.”— 2026-02-12View Hansard
Supported the bill and highlighted the Redland Whitewater Centre as an Olympic-standard venue for Brisbane 2032, emphasising the economic, social and emergency services training benefits for her electorate.
“This bill is about readiness. It ensures Queensland is competitive, well governed and positioned to deliver lasting benefits before, during and long after the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”— 2026-02-12View Hansard
As deputy chair of the committee, supported the core bill's reforms to event regulation, ticket scalping and governance, but strongly opposed the late-circulated amendments converting Victoria Park trust land to freehold held by GIICA, arguing the government intends to sell public land to developers.
“We all know what they are going to do: they are going to flog off the rest of Victoria Park to developers. They are going to sell it off to developers to cover the cost.”— 2026-02-12View Hansard
Supported the bill as timely ahead of the 2032 Olympics, highlighted the benefits for Rockhampton including the upgraded Browne Park and hosting Paralympic rowing on the Fitzroy River, and praised the streamlined regulatory framework.
“Let me be very clear: this is not just a games for Brisbane; this is a games for all of Queensland.”— 2026-02-12View Hansard
Acknowledged the bill is not bad but described it as small and technical. Criticised the government's use of last-minute amendments to bypass the parliamentary committee process as anti-democratic, comparing it to tactics of the Newman and Bjelke-Petersen eras.
“This is not a bad bill, but it is a small bill. It is a technical bill. It could have been dealt with quickly because it is uncontroversial. The problem is not the content; the problem is what it reveals about this government's priorities.”— 2026-02-12View Hansard
Supported the bill with a focus on ticket scalping penalties, arguing increased fines will protect regional families from being priced out of events and keep Queensland competitive as a destination for major sporting and entertainment events.
“By deterring the resale of tickets at inflated prices, we are protecting the social value of our major events and venues and ensuring everyday Queenslanders, the families and fans, no matter where they live or where the event is held across our great state, are not priced out of the events they love.”— 2026-02-12View Hansard
Supported the substantive bill provisions including extending Gold Coast stadium finishing times and ticket scalping reforms, but condemned the late amendments as deliberately planned to avoid scrutiny, linking the Victoria Park land changes to developer donations legislation passed the same week.
“These are not last-minute amendments. This was always planned. This was always going to go through tonight on the last sitting day after the news is broadcast when no-one is going to be paying attention to the news tomorrow.”— 2026-02-12View Hansard
Supported the bill as putting regional Queensland first, arguing it will help Far North Queensland venues attract headline acts and international events. Advocated for more sporting infrastructure funding in the region.
“This bill will provide my region and other regional Queensland cities with a chance to get in the games. That is why I give my full support to the bill.”— 2026-02-12View Hansard
Strongly supported the bill, highlighting the benefits for Maryborough as host of the 2032 Olympic archery events. Praised the removal of bureaucratic restrictions, increased ticket scalping penalties and modernised governance provisions.
“My electorate of Maryborough—to be known as Olympic-borough during the games—is continuing to buzz with excitement that we have been chosen to host the archery events for the 2032 Olympic Games.”— 2026-02-12View Hansard
Supported the bill's core provisions on event regulation, ticket scalping and governance, but criticised the rushed amendments adding projects to the BOPGA Act as dodgy parliamentary tactics that bypass planning, heritage and environmental laws without committee scrutiny.
“What should have been a reasonably straightforward bill will now raise suspicion amongst Queenslanders and the question is: why did the LNP do this?”— 2026-02-12View Hansard
As Transport Minister, spoke specifically to the BOPGA transport schedule amendments, defending the inclusion of the Wave rail project, Mooloolah River Interchange, Cairns Western Arterial Road, Coomera Connector and Shute Harbour facility as necessary to deliver the 2032 Olympic infrastructure on time.
“These amendments would not be needed if those opposite were not running the race previously in slow motion, particularly when it comes to transport infrastructure.”— 2026-02-12View Hansard
As Deputy Opposition Leader, did not oppose the bill but strongly criticised the BOPGA amendments as being rammed through without public scrutiny. Raised concerns about Olympic cost blowouts, citing BOC president Andrew Liveris's statement that the budget bears 'no resemblance to reality', and argued the amendments remove all accountability mechanisms.
“Once a project is added to it, planning, heritage and state environmental laws no longer apply. It is a legislative invisibility cloak.”— 2026-02-12View Hansard
Supported the bill and amendments, highlighting the benefits for Redcliffe including the planned indoor stadium at the Petrie UniSC campus, increased ticket scalping penalties to protect families, and the broader economic benefits of major events tourism.
“A kid in sport is a kid out of court.”— 2026-02-12View Hansard
Supported the original bill but strongly criticised both the racing board amendments as removing MacSporran integrity recommendations without consultation, and the Victoria Park land amendments converting trust land to freehold. Demanded the minister rule out any sale of Victoria Park land.
“They are now removing all of the MacSporran integrity recommendations with regard to board appointments. They are now allowing anybody who is connected to the industry on the board.”— 2026-02-12View Hansard
▸In Detail12 Feb 2026View Hansard
Amendment No. 1: Inserted new clause 1A providing that certain provisions of the bill (sections 53DFC and 53DFD, part 2, and part 3A) commence on a date to be fixed by proclamation rather than on assent.
Amendment No. 2: Inserted new Part 1A amending the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Arrangements Act 2021 to add the Brisbane Athlete Village, Gabba arena, the Wave (stages 1-3), Mooloolah River Interchange, Coomera Connector stage 2, Cairns Western Arterial Road and Shute Harbour recreational boating facility to the legislative schedules for fast-tracked planning approvals. Also provided for the vesting of Victoria Park land from Brisbane City Council DOGIT trust land to freehold held by GIICA.
Amendments Nos 3 to 5: Technical amendments to clause 10 adjusting the ticket resale penalty structure for the Major Events Act 2014, setting maximum penalties at 135 penalty units for individuals and 680 penalty units for corporations.
Amendment No. 6: Inserted new Part 3A amending the Racing Act 2002 to reform the Racing Queensland board composition and appointment process, implementing recommendations 3, 4, 77 and 88 of the independent Racing Review. Increased board size to up to 9 members, required representation from each racing code (thoroughbred, harness, greyhound), allowed industry-connected persons as chair/deputy chair, and removed the MacSporran-era prohibition on board members having connections to the racing industry.
Amendment No. 7: Amended the long title of the bill to include the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Arrangements Act 2021 and the Racing Act 2002, reflecting the additional legislation amended by the bill.
Spoke only during Consideration in Detail to oppose the Victoria Park land vesting amendments, arguing the conversion to fee simple enables future sale to private developers. Linked the amendments to the reintroduction of developer donations in the same sitting week.
“This is no longer in public hands; it is now regular, saleable land and, as we have heard, developers will be absolutely salivating over this inner-city property.”— 2026-02-12View Hansard