Public Trustee (Advisory and Monitoring Board) Amendment Bill 2021

Supported the bill's intent to provide oversight of the Public Trustee but argued it was a missed opportunity, as the board would have only advisory powers with no governance authority. Urged support for the LNP's amendments requiring stricter reporting timelines.

“By being only advisory in its nature and with no governance power, this newly established board will not have the power to direct the Public Trustee or the minister.”— 2022-05-11View Hansard

Moved the second reading as Attorney-General. Defended the advisory and monitoring board model, outlined government amendments to increase appointed board members and require a separate annual report tabled in parliament.

“The bill demonstrates the commitment of the Palaszczuk government to look after the interests of vulnerable Queenslanders by establishing the board and ensuring additional independent oversight over the Public Trustee.”— 2022-05-10View Hansard

Spoke in support of the bill as a national first in establishing an independent oversight board for the Public Trustee, welcoming amendments to include a board member with lived experience of impaired capacity.

“This bill will provide independent and effective oversight of the Public Trustee to improve its performance, transparency and accountability.”— 2022-05-11View Hansard

Heavily criticised the bill as 'window-dressing' and a 'toothless tiger' that fails to address fundamental issues with the Public Trustee. Argued for a governance board with real power rather than merely advisory functions. Acknowledged government amendments made the bill barely acceptable.

“The bill in its current form really is just window-dressing and it will not address the vast number of issues raised in the Public Advocate's report last year, let alone the more deep-seated cultural and organisational issues.”— 2022-05-10View Hansard

Strongly criticised the Public Trustee and the bill, arguing the proposed board was granted no real power and the spirit of the Public Advocate's recommendation had been betrayed. Supported the LNP amendments.

“The board is granted no real power. It can give advice but cannot give directions. It cannot force anyone to correct errors or change their approach at a micro or meta level.”— 2022-05-11View Hansard

Spoke as committee chair, outlining the committee's three recommendations including adding a board member with lived experience and requiring a separate annual report. Commended the bill.

“The first the recommendation was that the Public Trustee (Advisory and Monitoring Board) Amendment Bill 2021 be passed.”— 2022-05-10View Hansard

Defended the bill against LNP criticism, arguing it faithfully implements recommendation 30 of the Public Advocate's report. Praised the inclusion of lived experience on the board.

“I fail to see how this bill is betraying the spirit of recommendation 30.”— 2022-05-11View Hansard

Declared a personal interest as his family deals with the Public Trustee. Raised concerns about the board's independence given public servant membership, questioned the need for another layer of bureaucracy when existing boards already exist, and criticised the lack of transparency around remuneration.

“My problem with having another level of public servant bureaucracy is that there already exists a governance board within the Public Trustee—the financial risk board. I think it is clear that there are already many monitoring systems.”— 2022-05-10View Hansard

Argued the bill does not go far enough to protect vulnerable Queenslanders, citing the case of constituent Sue Nunn whose family had $80,000 ripped from them by the Public Trustee. Supported LNP amendments.

“This bill does not go far enough. The system needs reforming. Let us not try to dress it up and say that this is the answer.”— 2022-05-11View Hansard

Outlined the committee process and the Public Trustee's responsibilities to vulnerable Queenslanders. Supported the bill's establishment of independent oversight for the Public Trustee.

“The government listened closely to our most vulnerable and advocacy groups in Queensland to strengthen the processes. We are acting on the concerns raised to make this process more effective to serve those who have been impacted.”— 2022-05-10View Hansard

Spoke in support of the bill, outlining the board's functions and the importance of protecting vulnerable Queenslanders under the guardianship system.

“Protecting Queenslanders and especially our vulnerable is a priority of the Palaszczuk government.”— 2022-05-11View Hansard

Supported the bill but argued it was manifestly inadequate, implementing only one of 32 recommendations from the Public Advocate's report. Foreshadowed an amendment requiring six-monthly progress reports on the remaining recommendations. Shared constituent stories of Public Trustee overcharging and mistreatment.

“Creating an oversight board is helpful, but manifestly inadequate.”— 2022-05-10View Hansard

Welcomed the amendments but argued the bill goes nowhere near far enough, noting the government accepted only one of 32 recommendations from the Public Advocate's report.

“This goes nowhere near far enough to restore the public's confidence in the Public Trustee. It is another example of this government always being seen to be doing something rather than actually getting in, doing the hard work and doing something.”— 2022-05-11View Hansard

Spoke as Minister for Seniors and Disability Services, welcoming the inclusion of First Nations and disability representatives on the board. Noted that 62 per cent of those in supported accommodation have the Public Trustee as financial administrator.

“As minister for some of the state's most vulnerable people, I welcome the extra oversight that is included in this bill. It is vital the public has full confidence that the Public Trustee will work in the best interests of those whom they represent.”— 2022-05-10View Hansard

Supported the bill and outlined the committee's recommendations and the government's acceptance of them, including the addition of a lived experience board member and annual reporting requirements.

“I would like to thank the Attorney-General for introducing this important bill.”— 2022-05-11View Hansard

Argued the bill seeks to remediate longstanding failings of Queensland's Public Trustee but that the advisory board alone is insufficient. Called for the LNP's transparency amendments to be supported.

“This bill seeks to remediate the longstanding failings of Queensland's Public Trustee by establishing an advisory and monitoring board, which will provide additional oversight of the Public Trustee, with the aim of enhancing transparency and public accountability.”— 2022-05-11View Hansard

Spoke in support of the bill, emphasising the importance of the board's independence and accountability measures including the annual report tabled in parliament.

“When all of that occurs, that information will be tabled here in this parliament, on that very table. They are very important accountability measures.”— 2022-05-11View Hansard

Supported the bill on the basis of openness and transparency but argued it should go further, strongly backing the LNP amendments for 30-day reporting timelines.

“We on this side of the House have supported this bill on that basis, but it should go further.”— 2022-05-11View Hansard

Spoke in support of the bill, emphasising the importance of protecting vulnerable Queenslanders and the need for oversight of the Public Trustee.

“I rise to speak in support of the Public Trustee (Advisory and Monitoring Board) Amendment Bill 2021.”— 2022-05-11View Hansard

Argued the bill barely scratches the surface and is a missed opportunity to give hope to vulnerable Queenslanders trapped by the Public Trustee. Criticised the board's lack of power and lax reporting requirements.

“This bill had the potential to change lives, to give back Public Trustee clients their dignity. Instead, it barely scratches the surface of the issue so many Queenslanders currently face within the Public Trustee.”— 2022-05-11View Hansard

Supported the bill as providing independent and effective oversight of the Public Trustee, welcoming the inclusion of a lived experience board member and annual reporting to parliament.

“This bill gives the board the tools it requires to effectively perform its oversight function, including: a skilled and knowledgeable membership providing a fresh perspective.”— 2022-05-11View Hansard

Supported the intent of the bill but argued it falls far short of community expectations, noting the advisory board is not anywhere near enough without the needed accountability and transparency.

“While supporting the intent of the bill, it is difficult to support endeavours that continue to fall far short of community expectations.”— 2022-05-11View Hansard

Supported the bill, sharing her family's positive experience with the Public Trustee managing her late sister-in-law's affairs. Acknowledged not every client has the same outcome.

“During Annette's later years, when she was unable to make financial decisions for herself and for her estate, her finances were managed well by the Public Trustee.”— 2022-05-11View Hansard

Argued the bill does little to resolve the issues highlighted by the Four Corners program and is nothing more than window-dressing. Urged the House to support the LNP amendments.

“This bill does little to resolve the issues highlighted by the Four Corners program or help the 10,000 Queenslanders who rely on the Public Trustee.”— 2022-05-11View Hansard

Supported the bill and acknowledged the great work of the Public Trustee, while welcoming the establishment of the advisory and monitoring board for additional oversight.

“Protecting Queenslanders, especially those experiencing vulnerability, is a priority for the Palaszczuk Labor government, and that is why this government has moved decisively to establish the Public Trustee Advisory and Monitoring Board.”— 2022-05-11View Hansard

Defended the government's progress on implementing Public Advocate recommendations, citing the Public Advocate's own update showing several recommendations already accepted and implemented.

“I commend the Attorney-General for what they have done in providing a board that is going to monitor and report in relation to the activities of the Public Trustee.”— 2022-05-11View Hansard

Supported bringing accountability and transparency but argued the reforms should go further. Raised concerns about inherent conflicts of interest in the Public Trustee's funding model.

“Why would we not want to bring about transparency and accountability in a piece of legislation for an organisation that is designed to protect the dignity and rights of Queensland's most vulnerable people?”— 2022-05-11View Hansard

Spoke in support of the bill, emphasising the importance of the oversight board for protecting vulnerable Queenslanders.

“I rise to speak in support of the Public Trustee (Advisory and Monitoring Board) Amendment Bill 2021.”— 2022-05-11View Hansard

Spoke in support of the bill and the establishment of the advisory and monitoring board to enhance oversight of the Public Trustee.

“I rise to speak in support of the Public Trustee (Advisory and Monitoring Board) Amendment Bill 2021.”— 2022-05-11View Hansard