Emergency Services Reform Amendment Bill 2023
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill restructures Queensland's emergency services by transferring the State Emergency Service and marine rescue functions from Queensland Fire and Emergency Services to the Queensland Police Service. It establishes a new State Disaster Management Group chaired by the Premier to provide faster strategic oversight during disasters, and makes consequential amendments across more than 20 pieces of legislation to ensure workers' compensation, civil liability protections, and Blue Card requirements continue for volunteers.
Who it affects
SES volunteers (about 5,400 people) and marine rescue volunteers (about 2,600 people) are most directly affected, as their organisations move under QPS administration. Communities across Queensland benefit from a more coordinated disaster management structure.
Key changes
- State Emergency Service and Marine Rescue Queensland transferred from QFES to the Queensland Police Service, backed by $578 million over five years
- New State Disaster Management Group established, chaired by the Premier, to provide faster strategic leadership during disasters
- Workers' compensation coverage maintained for SES and MRQ volunteers, including injuries during training
- Marine Rescue Queensland volunteers added to presumptive PTSD provisions for first responders
- Emergency service units at Rolleston and Tambo to be replaced with SES units
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
▸Committee28 Nov 2023View Hansard
Referred to Legal Affairs and Safety Committee
The Community Support and Services Committee examined the Emergency Services Reform Amendment Bill 2023 over approximately three and a half months, receiving 20 submissions and holding a public briefing and hearing. The committee unanimously recommended the bill be passed, finding it compatible with fundamental legislative principles and human rights. Stakeholders were generally supportive, though concerns were raised about concentrating disaster management power within the Queensland Police Service and the need for greater investment in community services during emergencies. LNP members filed a Statement of Reservation citing concerns about the lack of information provided to volunteers regarding new arrangements.
Key findings (5)
- Stakeholders and Queensland councils were generally supportive of the proposed reforms, with no significant issues identified by the LGAQ.
- Community Legal Centres Queensland raised concerns about concentrating disaster management power in the QPS, given historic distrust of police in some communities, and called for a statutory requirement for independent review.
- The Queensland Council of Social Services and Neighbourhood Centres Queensland argued the bill missed an opportunity to embed community services more effectively into disaster response and called for greater funding.
- Several submitters called for expanded Good Samaritan civil liability protections for members of the public who assist during emergencies, though QPS advised this was outside the scope of the bill.
- The committee found the bill compatible with human rights under the Human Rights Act 2019, noting that limitations on the right to privacy and liberty were reasonable and justified.
Recommendations (1)
- The committee recommends the Emergency Services Reform Amendment Bill 2023 be passed.
Committee report tabled
▸Second Reading30 Apr 2024View Hansard
▸12 members spoke9 support3 mixed
Supported the cognate bills, focusing on the Emergency Services Reform Amendment Bill. Praised the coordination between SES, police and Marine Rescue Queensland and thanked local emergency services personnel.
“I think this bill provides better coordination across our various service providers.”— 2024-05-01View Hansard
As Minister for Police and Community Safety, introduced the bills and outlined how they implement recommendations from independent reviews of emergency services and disaster management. Emphasised the importance of supporting volunteers with civil liability protections and record funding of almost $600 million over five years.
“This government acknowledges that its paramount responsibility is the safety of our communities and our people. We take that obligation seriously and we recognise the importance of our emergency services agencies performing the best that they can.”— 2024-04-30View Hansard
Strongly supported all the cognate bills, praising the benefits for coastguard volunteers who will no longer have to pay for their own uniforms or fundraise for equipment, and defending the government's treatment of rural firies.
“Who can imagine being a volunteer and having to pay for your own uniform? Now the uniforms will be supplied. Who can imagine having to pay for their own training? That is all taken care of now.”— 2024-05-01View Hansard
Acknowledged positive elements including civil liability protections and disaster management amendments, but heavily criticised the government's consultation process and treatment of volunteers. Announced the LNP would oppose clause 31 establishing two separate entities within the Queensland Fire Department, and raised numerous unanswered questions from volunteers about asset transfers, funding and operational arrangements.
“To have people with 50 years of service as volunteers talking about walking away is not only heartbreaking but also has the potential to deprive the next generation of volunteers, and our communities of a pool of vital knowledge and experience.”— 2024-04-30View Hansard
Supported improvements to disaster response and welcomed additional funding for volunteer organisations, but raised concerns about lack of consultation, mixed messaging to volunteers, and the ability of the Queensland Police Service to manage additional staff and volunteers. Urged better communication and transparency going forward.
“We must support any improvements to the response of agencies to disasters and disaster management.”— 2024-04-30View Hansard
Supported all the cognate bills, praising local emergency services. Challenged opposition claims of lack of consultation, tabling documents showing extensive stakeholder consultation with the RFBAQ.
“I do not understand why Mr Choveaux said there was no consultation when it is very clear that there absolutely was consultation.”— 2024-05-01View Hansard
Spoke in support of all four bills, noting committee recommendations to pass them and emphasising the need for efficient and effective emergency services given Queensland's disaster exposure and the growing impact of climate change.
“It is crucial that our emergency services are managed efficiently and effectively, with cooperation at all levels and across all services.”— 2024-04-30View Hansard
Expressed legitimate concerns about top-down quasi-militaristic structures being imposed on grassroots volunteer organisations, and uncertainty around reallocation of funds. However, accepted the restructure as sensible enough and called for greater investment in community and neighbourhood centres for disaster recovery, as well as Good Samaritan civil liability protections.
“It is worth noting at the outset that there are some quite legitimate concerns about the operational structures that are proposed in the rearrangement under these bills, not least of all the kind of top-down, almost quasi-militaristic structures that are proposed.”— 2024-04-30View Hansard
Spoke in support of the bills, drawing on the experience of the February 2022 floods in her electorate and the life-saving work of emergency services. Welcomed the organisational reforms and the requirement for smoke alarms in caravans and motorhomes.
“Ensuring that our emergency services agencies are designed and supported to respond to the impact of natural disasters is important—which is what these bills will achieve—and it becomes more pressing when we recognise the impact of climate change on extreme weather conditions.”— 2024-04-30View Hansard
Supported the cognate bills, drawing on his 30-year career with the Queensland Ambulance Service. Drew parallels with the 1992 QAS transition from 97 separate structures to one service, arguing the reforms would strengthen emergency services.
“We all woke up the next day and the sky was blue, the water was wet and we still had our stations and the community was still respectful of all of those ambulance stations which now have grown to over 230 locations across the state.”— 2024-05-01View Hansard
Supported the bills as necessary to ensure Queensland's emergency services perform optimally, highlighting the state's disaster-prone nature and the legislative framework for prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.
“The Miles Labor government has strengthened the laws around protection and compensation for volunteers in line with career services. In addition, the bills pull in government funding so that those organisations do not have to rely on fundraising as they have in the past.”— 2024-05-01View Hansard
As Minister for Police and Community Safety, replied to the second reading debate addressing concerns raised by members about SES, Marine Rescue Queensland transition, funding and operational details. Described the historic creation of Marine Rescue Queensland as a new government agency.
“It is not too often that governments create new government organisations. We are seeing the creation, for the first time in Queensland history, of Marine Rescue Queensland, a government agency that will be supported, run and staffed by volunteers.”— 2024-05-01View Hansard
▸In Detail1 May 2024 – 2 May 2024View Hansard
That the amendment be agreed to
Vote on an amendment to the business program motion, which was agreed to by the government majority.
The motion passed.
▸Show individual votesHide individual votes
Ayes (47)
Noes (36)
That the motion, as amended, be agreed to
Vote on the business program motion as amended, which set time limits for debate on the cognate emergency services bills.
The motion passed.
▸Show individual votesHide individual votes
Ayes (47)
Noes (36)
▸1 clause vote (all passed)
Vote on clause 31
Vote on whether to retain clause 31 of the Disaster Management and Other Legislation Amendment Bill, which establishes Rural Fire Service Queensland as a separate fire service within the Queensland Fire Department and provides enhanced civil liability protections for volunteer members. The LNP, KAP and PHON opposed the clause citing inadequate consultation with rural fire brigade volunteers and concerns about the new command structure.
The clause was kept in the bill.
A vote on whether a specific clause should remain in the bill as written.
▸Show individual votesHide individual votes
Ayes (48)
Noes (36)
▸1 procedural vote
Vote to grant leave
Procedural motion that was defeated. Based on the context of the business program debate, this likely related to seeking leave to move amendments or alter debate arrangements.
Permission was refused.
A vote on whether to grant permission — for example, to introduce an amendment or vary normal procedure.
▸Show individual votesHide individual votes
Ayes (37)
Noes (47)
Referenced Entities
Legislation
Organisations
Programs & Schemes
Sectors Affected
Classified using AGIFT/ANZSIC Australian government standards