Fire and Emergency Services (Domestic Smoke Alarms) Amendment Bill 2016

As Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services, moved the government bill and argued it fully implements the coroner's recommendations from the Slacks Creek fire inquest, requiring photoelectric, interconnected smoke alarms in every bedroom with a 10-year phase-in.

“This bill will see Queensland lead the country in home fire safety. Installing photoelectric smoke alarms with an enduring power source will result in a greater number of homes with working smoke alarms.”— 2016-08-31View Hansard

Did not oppose the government bill outright but moved amendments to shorten the phase-in from 10 years to three years and remove the mandatory interconnectivity requirement, arguing those features made the bill too costly for vulnerable families.

“Tonight, in a spirit of bipartisanship, we will not be voting against the government's bill, but we will be moving amendments to make this bill far more effective and bring about the results that the coroner was looking for.”— 2016-08-31View Hansard

As committee chair, summarised the Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee's findings and commended the government bill to the House, endorsing photoelectric alarms and interconnection.

“I think the committee did an excellent job in examining both bills ... I commend the cognate bills to the House.”— 2016-08-31View Hansard

Supported the government bill, emphasising that interconnected alarms in every bedroom are essential to wake children and vulnerable people who might otherwise sleep through an alarm in the hallway.

“Quite simply, the government's bill will save lives. It will save children's lives, it will save vulnerable people's lives, it will save Queenslanders' lives.”— 2016-08-31View Hansard

Commended both bills but supported the government bill, noting it allows use of different technologies including wireless interconnected battery-powered alarms that home owners can install themselves.

“I commend the government's bill to the House.”— 2016-08-31View Hansard

As Minister for Housing and Public Works, supported the government bill on behalf of the state's large public housing tenant base, arguing interconnection and bedroom alarms are critical safety features.

“I am convinced that the government's bill is the bill that will save lives in this state.”— 2016-08-31View Hansard

As a former paramedic, supported the government bill and defended the 10-year phase-in as sensible to allow families time to financially plan and for supply and pricing to adjust.

“I am proud to be part of a government that is committed to reducing the risk of death from fires in the home and keeping Queenslanders safe. I commend the bill to the House.”— 2016-08-31View Hansard

Supported the government bill, drawing on the Slacks Creek tragedy in his electorate and arguing interconnected alarms in bedrooms are essential to wake deep-sleeping children.

“The bill put forward by the minister tonight means the Logan community is less likely than ever to see the suffering and loss that we saw on 23 August 2011.”— 2016-08-31View Hansard

As minister and local MP for the Slacks Creek area, supported the government bill as the full implementation of the coroner's recommendations including interconnection and alarms in every bedroom.

“This bill will not stop house fires, but it does equip homes with the best possible warning device, which will in turn prevent the loss of lives here in Queensland.”— 2016-08-31View Hansard

As local MP for Woodridge near Slacks Creek, supported the government bill for fully implementing all the coroner's recommendations, including interconnection.

“Interconnection is absolutely critical to ensuring the people of Queensland have the best laws which ensure the highest and best safety for them.”— 2016-08-31View Hansard

Supported the government bill, citing the value of photoelectric interconnected alarms and asking the minister to consider extending smoke alarms to Queensland schools.

“There will be a financial cost to home owners, but there cannot be a price put on saving the life of a loved one.”— 2016-08-31View Hansard