Constitution of Queensland and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016

Overview

This bill locks the core features of Queensland's parliamentary committee system into the state Constitution, so they can't be easily changed or removed. It requires at least six portfolio committees covering all areas of government, a minimum six-week committee review of most new bills, and a public budget estimates hearing for the annual Appropriation Bills. It also lets committees start their own inquiries on matters within their portfolio.

Who it affects

Every Queenslander who might want to make a submission on a new law benefits from a guaranteed committee review period, while MPs and the government of the day lose the ability to quietly skip committee scrutiny without declaring a bill urgent.

Key changes

• At least six portfolio committees covering all areas of government must be established at the start of every parliamentary session
• Every bill must be referred to a committee for at least six weeks unless the Assembly votes to declare it urgent
• The annual budget bills must go through portfolio committee examination at a public hearing
• Portfolio committees can now start their own inquiries into any matter within their portfolio area
• Existing portfolio committees automatically continue under the new constitutional arrangements