Public Safety Business Agency and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016

Overview

This bill reshapes the Public Safety Business Agency, which provides shared back-office services to Queensland's police and fire agencies. It sets up a new Board of Management led by the Police and Fire Commissioners, hands some operational functions back to the Queensland Police Service and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, moves Blue Card Services to the Department of Justice and Attorney-General, and absorbs the State Government Protective Security Service into the police service.

Who it affects

Mostly staff and managers within the PSBA, Queensland Police Service and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, plus protective security officers working in state buildings. For ordinary Queenslanders the main practical change is that Blue Card Services shifts to the justice department.

Key changes

• A new PSBA Board of Management is created, chaired in turn by the Police and Fire Commissioners, with one external member appointed by the Governor in Council for up to three years
• The PSBA CEO is renamed the Chief Operating Officer and reports to the new board, and can be removed with one month's notice
• The PSBA's role is narrowed to ICT, finance, procurement, asset management and some HR and advisory services, with recruitment, training, legal services, ethical standards and media returning to QPS and QFES
• Blue Card Services is moved from the PSBA to the Department of Justice and Attorney-General, with existing applications and notices carrying over
• The State Government Protective Security Service is abolished as a separate entity; responsibility for securing state buildings passes to the Queensland Police Service and security officers become QPS staff members