Defamation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
Referred to Justice, Integrity and Community Safety Committee
The Defamation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 was referred to the Justice, Integrity and Community Safety Committee on 14 October 2025. The bill subsequently passed with amendments on 11 December 2025, indicating the committee completed its review. No committee report text is available for detailed analysis.
Vote on a motion
Opposition motion defeated 31-52 - procedural motion related to debate time
The motion was rejected.
A formal vote on whether to accept a proposal — this could be the bill itself, an amendment, or another motion.
▸Show individual votesHide individual votes
Ayes (31)
Noes (52)
▸6 members spoke6 support
As Attorney-General, moved the bill implementing nationally agreed Model Defamation Provisions reforms on digital intermediary liability and absolute privilege.
“This bill aligns Queensland's defamation laws with Model Defamation Provisions which were agreed to by SCAG on 22 September 2023.”— 2025-12-11View Hansard
Labor opposition supports the bill implementing stage 2 Model Defamation Provisions reforms, modernising defamation laws for the digital landscape.
“The Queensland Labor opposition supports this bill that implements the Standing Council of Attorneys-General approved stage 2 amendments to the Model Defamation Provisions.”— 2025-12-11View Hansard
As committee chair, reported the committee recommended the bill be passed after detailed inquiry with five submissions.
“This bill represents a significant and necessary step in modernising Queensland's defamation laws.”— 2025-12-11View Hansard
Supported the bill for modernising defamation laws and balancing reputation protection with free communication in the digital age.
“It strikes a careful balance between protecting reputations and enabling free communication in the digital age.”— 2025-12-11View Hansard
Supported the bill for protecting crime and domestic violence victims who report to police from defamation suits under absolute privilege.
“This means Queenslanders, especially victims of crime and domestic violence, can report offences to police without fear of being sued for defamation.”— 2025-12-11View Hansard
Supported the bill for providing protections to social media moderators dealing with third-party defamatory content.
“This legislation changes a lot for them... to have the right controls in place.”— 2025-12-11View Hansard
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill modernises Queensland's defamation laws for the digital age by implementing nationally agreed reforms. It creates clearer rules for when online platforms, search engines, and forum administrators can be held liable for defamatory content posted by users, and extends protection to people who report matters to police.
Who it affects
Online platforms and forum administrators gain clearer defences against defamation claims for third-party content, while people defamed online have stronger pathways to get content removed. People reporting crimes to police gain absolute privilege protection.
Key changes
- Search engines and platforms providing caching, conduit, or storage services are exempt from liability if they don't take an active role in publishing defamatory content
- Digital intermediaries have a defence if they maintain a complaints mechanism and take reasonable steps to remove defamatory content within 7 days of a complaint
- Courts can order non-party platforms to remove defamatory content and must consider safety concerns before revealing anonymous posters' identities
- Reports to police now attract absolute privilege protection, meaning you cannot be sued for defamation for making a police report
- Criminal defamation law updated so digital intermediaries protected in civil proceedings also have a lawful excuse in criminal proceedings