Electoral Laws (Restoring Electoral Fairness) Amendment Bill 2025

As Attorney-General, introduced and moved the bill, arguing it restores fairness by levelling the playing field for political donations, implements the Belcarra recommendations as originally intended for local government only, and fulfils the Crisafulli government's pre-election commitments.

“No longer should Queensland have one rule for trade unions and Labor and another rule for everyone else.”— 2026-02-10View Hansard

Led the opposition's case against the bill, arguing it weakens integrity, increases corruption risk, and quadruples political donation limits. Cited extensive CCC warnings and criticised the government for not consulting the corruption watchdog before drafting the bill.

“This bill says one thing on the cover and does the complete opposite on the inside. This bill claims to restore fairness but it actually weakens integrity.”— 2026-02-10View Hansard

As committee chair, supported the bill, arguing the previous prohibited donor definition was deliberately vague, that the data does not support claims that minor offenders would be disenfranchised by the prisoner voting threshold, and that the committee recommended the bill be passed.

“Under Labor's laws introduced before the 2020 election, the definition of 'prohibited donor' not only unfairly singled out an important industry in Queensland but also was so deliberately vague in its more than 700 words it caught mum-and-dad investors and many other ordinary people.”— 2026-02-10View Hansard

Argued the bill tears at the fabric of Queensland's integrity framework, citing CCC warnings about increased corruption risk. Described the bill as increasing private money in politics at exactly the wrong moment, with the 2032 Olympics driving massive infrastructure spending.

“When the Crime and Corruption Commission says that a bill increases corruption risk, governments should stop, listen and rethink. The government did none of those things.”— 2026-02-10View Hansard

Supported the bill on three grounds: protecting vulnerable candidates through PO box authorisation, restoring a level playing field for donations by treating unions and developers equally, and restricting prisoner voting for those serving one year or more.

“Queenslanders saw through their hypocrisy, and this Crisafulli government is ending it and restoring true equality so no-one gets special treatment and no-one gets special punishment.”— 2026-02-10View Hansard

As a committee member, criticised the rushed process over the Christmas period, argued the bill fails the pub test, warned that removing developer bans combined with state land sell-offs benefits developers rather than Queenslanders, and raised concerns about High Court vulnerability of the prisoner voting changes.

“This bill does not pass the pub test. If I went out and told my punters that the first bill we debated and passed in 2026 was to remove property developer caps and increase money to go into political campaigns, they would be absolutely appalled.”— 2026-02-10View Hansard

Supported the bill as delivering on government commitments, arguing the property developer ban should only apply to local government in line with Belcarra, that the prisoner voting threshold should be one year, and that allowing regulated financial institution loans improves campaign financing.

“We believe that law-breakers should not get to elect our lawmakers; it is a very simple idea.”— 2026-02-10View Hansard

Argued the bill dismantles Queensland's strong donation framework in one sweep, weakens donation limits, reopens known corruption risks, and strips democratic rights from prisoners with disproportionate impacts on women, First Nations people and people with disabilities.

“It was Labor governments that banned political donations from property developers, recognising the unique risks that arise when private interests intersect with planning and development decisions.”— 2026-02-10View Hansard

Described the bill as great news for democracy, arguing it closes a dark history of Labor's financial gerrymandering. Detailed the specific clause amendments and alignment with NSW and Commonwealth donation frameworks.

“This bill is great news for democracy in Queensland. It closes a dark history in Labor's shameless manipulation and financial gerrymandering of our political donor system.”— 2026-02-10View Hansard

Argued the bill fundamentally increases private money flowing into Queensland politics by quadrupling donation caps, criticised the government for not consulting or allowing the CCC to appear at hearings, and distinguished unions from property developers on the basis of financial incentives.

“Why would a government committed to integrity proceed without consulting the state's top corruption watchdog? Why would it refuse to hear that watchdog in a public forum?”— 2026-02-10View Hansard

Supported the bill as restoring fairness, arguing the Belcarra recommendation 20 was always about local government only. Emphasised that the one-year prisoner voting threshold is appropriate given the seriousness of offences required for such sentences.

“It is good to see the change. I also associate myself with the words of the Attorney-General when she said that the LNP believes that law-breakers should not get to elect our lawmakers.”— 2026-02-10View Hansard

Argued the bill unwinds key elements of Queensland's integrity framework not because the system is broken but as a deliberate government choice. Cited CCC warnings, the rushed consultation process, and the Fitzgerald inquiry's lessons about corruption.

“Integrity is not tested when decisions are easy; it is tested when power is concentrated, money is flowing and pressure is high. This bill is designed pretty much to fail that test.”— 2026-02-10View Hansard

As Minister for Primary Industries, supported the bill as implementing Belcarra recommendations as intended, arguing Labor dressed up its donation ban as a CCC recommendation when Belcarra was about local government only, and that the bill increases transparency and accountability.

“Labor shamelessly used the Belcarra report to instigate and manipulate a financial gerrymander. The ban did not apply to their CFMEU or other union mates who substantially fund the Labor Party.”— 2026-02-10View Hansard

Argued developer donations are undeniably a corrupting influence, that the state government controls planning decisions that benefit developers, and that removing prisoner voting rights is arbitrary and discriminatory, particularly against First Nations Queenslanders who are vastly overrepresented in prison.

“The only party that is not taking these corporate donations is the Greens. Democracy is for everyday people; it is not for corporations.”— 2026-02-10View Hansard

Supported the bill as a comprehensive package that restores fairness, enhances transparency and rebuilds public trust. Outlined each reform area including donation caps, developer donations, financial institution loans, ECQ preselection oversight removal, and extended authorisation periods.

“Our position could not be clearer: there should be one rule for all or none for anyone.”— 2026-02-10View Hansard

Argued the bill weakens electoral fairness, citing the LNP's history of challenging donation disclosure thresholds in the Supreme Court. Warned the bill creates a backdoor at local government level and that combining expanded planning power with developer donations increases corruption risk.

“This bill in no way restores electoral fairness: it weakens it shamefully.”— 2026-02-10View Hansard

Supported the bill as restoring balance and bringing electoral laws back into alignment with Operation Belcarra's intent. Argued both the Greens and Labor are hypocritical on donations and that political donations are a form of political communication protected by constitutional implied freedoms.

“The question is not whether donations should exist but whether the rules governing them are fair, transparent and applied consistently. That is the responsibility of this parliament, and that is what this legislation will do.”— 2026-02-10View Hansard

Argued the bill reduces transparency by quadrupling donation amounts and increasing private money, cited the CCC's warning about the bill being a significant departure from the robust framework, and referenced historical examples of LNP governments making decisions that benefited donors.

“More private money in the political system will lead to greater risk.”— 2026-02-10View Hansard

Supported the bill, arguing the previous Labor government created an unfair financial gerrymander that gave unions an outsized influence. Welcomed reforms to protect candidate safety through PO box authorisation and stiffer penalties for misuse of developer donations at local government level.

“Finally we have a Queensland government that is delivering the fresh start we promised. We are injecting vibrancy in our democracy for local government.”— 2026-02-10View Hansard

Argued the bill creates a real perception of pay-for-play deals, will quadruple donation amounts, and that the CCC was denied the opportunity to appear before the committee. Referenced the Fitzgerald inquiry and the importance of the CCC as an institution born from that era.

“It is incumbent on all of us as legislators, as we legislate on matters of integrity, to listen to those who have skin in the game, those who know where the skeletons are hidden.”— 2026-02-10View Hansard

Supported the bill as restoring balance, transparency and confidence. Highlighted the extended authorisation requirements as improving accountability for political messaging and the PO box reform as protecting candidate privacy and safety.

“For Redlanders, this means greater transparency, fewer anonymous attacks and stronger accountability.”— 2026-02-10View Hansard

Drew on personal experience of growing up during the Bjelke-Petersen era to argue corruption is corrosive. Criticised the government for not consulting the CCC and for ignoring Geoffrey Watson SC's warnings while relying on him for the CFMEU inquiry. Opposed the prisoner voting threshold reduction.

“When you thump your chest and stand up to the CCC, when you not only ignore them but do not even ask for their advice, you do not look clever, you do not look tough, you do not look anti-woke. I can tell you what you look like. You look dodgy.”— 2026-02-10View Hansard

Supported the bill as delivering the LNP's election commitment to restore a level playing field, highlighting the strengthened anti-circumvention offences at local government level, annualised donation caps, removal of ECQ preselection oversight, and extended authorisation requirements.

“For Redcliffe locals this matters because fairness builds trust.”— 2026-02-10View Hansard

Argued the bill does nothing to improve public confidence and that the rushed Christmas-period committee process was a disgrace. Criticised the quadrupling of donation caps and the removal of developer donation bans, noting no other jurisdiction is weakening electoral donation laws.

“We had the strongest laws when it came to election donations. This bill does nothing about Belcarra. It increases private money and decreases public confidence in Queensland elections. Shame on you!”— 2026-02-10View Hansard

Argued the bill ends Labor's financial gerrymander and levels the playing field. Noted the absence of union submissions as evidence that unions benefited from the previous framework and supported the prisoner voting restriction as reflecting community expectations.

“That is because of the ill deeds of the former government over many years to implement a legal system that favours a particular part of the economy, a particular part of the industrial system—that is, the trade union movement—above all others.”— 2026-02-10View Hansard

As an independent, argued the bill is an opportunity squandered for real reform and represents regression in a tit-for-tat battle between major parties. Cited her electorate survey showing 78% want an end to big donations and advocated for banning all big donations as South Australia has done.

“It does not matter which side is arguing this or who is giving. We are talking about big donors. This bill does not pass the pub test. It just increases the influence of vested interests and the risk of corruption through lifting bans and quadrupling the existing donation caps.”— 2026-02-10View Hansard

Supported the bill as fulfilling election commitments to restore public confidence and prioritise victims over criminals. Highlighted the reforms to authorisation of election materials as ensuring accountability for scare campaigns.

“Restoring electoral fairness is not a partisan act; it is a democratic responsibility.”— 2026-02-10View Hansard

Argued the bill reduces transparency and increases private money in elections, moving Queensland away from other jurisdictions. Criticised the government for silencing the CCC and distinguished unions from property developers based on their non-profit versus for-profit structures.

“Queenslanders do not want a political system where influence is proportional to wealth. They want a system where trust, transparency and integrity come first.”— 2026-02-10View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill, arguing property developers are a respected industry that should not be treated as criminals. Characterised the previous ban as a political gerrymander by the Palaszczuk government and supported the prisoner voting restriction.

“This bill rights a wrong. In this parliament we should not be doing things just for a political benefit, but that is what the previous bill of the Palaszczuk government was designed to do.”— 2026-02-10View Hansard