Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee

Portfolio Committee

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Bills Reviewed (5)

Biodiscovery and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2019Recommended passagePASSED

Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee: Report No. 25, 56th Parliament, February 2020-Biodiscovery and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 20192020-02-21

Committee findings

The Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee examined the Biodiscovery and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2019 over approximately three months, receiving four submissions and holding a public briefing and hearing. The committee recommended the bill be passed, noting broad stakeholder support for recognising and protecting First Nations traditional knowledge used in biodiscovery. However, the recommendation was contentious, with three of six committee members filing statements of reservation raising concerns about the absence of a draft Code of Practice and unresolved practical questions about implementation.

Key findings
  • Stakeholders broadly supported the intent of the bill, particularly the recognition and legal protection of First Nations traditional knowledge in biodiscovery activities.
  • Key concerns centred on the absence of a draft Code of Practice, which was considered essential for identifying traditional knowledge custodians, defining consent processes, and resolving disputes over benefit sharing.
  • Griffith University raised concerns that the traditional knowledge obligation may unintentionally extend to digital sequence information accessed separately from physical biological material, potentially rendering the provision unworkable.
  • The committee identified potential fundamental legislative principle issues, including a maximum penalty of $667,250 for breaching the traditional knowledge obligation and questions about whether the Code of Practice should be subordinate legislation subject to parliamentary scrutiny.
  • The Department of Environment and Science advised the Code of Practice would be developed within 12 months of the bill's passage, but could not provide a draft for the committee's review.
Recommendations
  • The committee recommends the Biodiscovery and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2019 be passed.
Dissenting views: Three committee members filed statements of reservation. Sandy Bolton MP (Member for Noosa) supported the bill's intent but could not support the recommendation to pass it, arguing that without a draft Code of Practice, the bill raised more questions than it answered and that unresolved concerns could delay access to vital medical advancements. Jon Krause MP (Member for Scenic Rim) and Mark Boothman MP (Member for Theodore) described the bill as poorly drafted, criticised the Department for being unable to answer fundamental questions about implementation, and objected to the Code of Practice being approved by regulation rather than as subordinate legislation subject to parliamentary scrutiny.
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Environmental Protection (Great Barrier Reef Protection Measures) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2019Recommended passagePASSED

Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee: Report No. 16, 56th Parliament, April 2019-Environmental Protection (Great Barrier Reef Protection Measures) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 20192019-04-26

Committee findings

The Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee examined the bill over two months, receiving 230 written submissions plus approximately 1,589 form submissions, and holding public hearings across regional Queensland in Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville, Mackay and Bundaberg. The committee recommended the bill be passed, finding sufficient scientific evidence linking agricultural land use with adverse water quality effects on the Great Barrier Reef, though stakeholder views were sharply divided between environmental groups supporting regulation and agricultural industry groups opposing it. Two statements of reservation were filed: LNP members criticised the bill as rushed and politically motivated, while the crossbench Member for Noosa supported the bill but raised concerns about inadequate resourcing and the need for targeted assistance to farmers.

Key findings
  • The committee found sufficient scientific evidence linking agricultural land use with adverse effects on water quality in Great Barrier Reef catchment areas, relying on the 2017 Scientific Consensus Statement
  • Voluntary best management practice programs had been running for 10 years with limited uptake, with often less than half of producers accredited, leading the committee to conclude voluntary approaches were inadequate
  • Agricultural and horticultural stakeholders including AgForce, CANEGROWERS and the Queensland Farmers' Federation strongly opposed the regulatory approach, preferring voluntary and cooperative models
  • Environmental groups including the Australian Marine Conservation Society, WWF-Australia and the Environmental Defenders Office supported the bill, warning that inaction could lead to the Reef being listed as World Heritage 'in danger'
  • Concerns were raised about the breadth of data collection powers delegated to the chief executive and the lack of finalised minimum practice standards at the time of the bill's passage
Recommendations
  • The committee recommends the Environmental Protection (Great Barrier Reef Protection Measures) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2019 be passed.
Dissenting views: LNP members Mark Boothman (Theodore) and Jon Krause (Scenic Rim) filed a Statement of Reservation strongly criticising the bill as rushed and politically expedient, arguing it gave sweeping powers to unelected officials without adequate detail on minimum standards or data collection requirements, and that government funding of $13.8 million over four years was deeply inadequate to help farmers transition. Crossbench member Sandy Bolton (Noosa) filed a separate Statement of Reservation supporting the bill's passage but raising concerns that without appropriate resourcing and targeted assistance to high-risk areas, the reef water quality targets may not be achievable by 2025.
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Waste Reduction and Recycling (Waste Levy) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2018Recommended passagePASSED with amendment

Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee : Report No. 9, 56th Parliament - Waste Reduction and Recycling (Waste Levy) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 20182018-10-22

Committee findings

The Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee examined the bill over six weeks, receiving 37 written submissions and holding public hearings in Ipswich and Rockhampton, as well as conducting site visits. The committee recommended the bill be passed, noting the opportunities the waste levy would provide to develop Queensland's recycling and resource recovery industry. Two statements of reservation were filed: one by the Member for Noosa calling for permanent ring-fencing of levy revenue for environmental initiatives, and another by the LNP members opposing the bill as a cost impost on families and businesses.

Key findings
  • The waste and recycling industry broadly supported the introduction of a waste levy as a necessary price signal to encourage diversion from landfill, noting Queensland had fallen behind other states without one.
  • Local governments and industry groups raised significant concerns about the proposed 4 March 2019 commencement date, arguing insufficient time for infrastructure upgrades such as weighbridges and IT systems.
  • The proposed two-zone levy system (levy zone covering 38 local government areas with populations over 10,000, and a non-levy zone for the rest) drew criticism from regional councils who argued the population threshold was arbitrary and did not account for local economic conditions.
  • Several stakeholders questioned whether less than 10 per cent of the estimated $1.3 billion in levy revenue being directed to environmental programs was sufficient to support the recycling industry transition.
  • The committee noted the department's advice that it would consider amendments to accommodate disposal of mining waste from multiple resource activities to a common facility.
Recommendations
  • The committee recommends the Waste Reduction and Recycling (Waste Levy) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2018 be passed.
Dissenting views: Sandy Bolton MP (Member for Noosa) filed a statement of reservation supporting the recommendation but raising concerns that levy proceeds were not fully allocated to councils for waste management, that changes of government could affect the levy's continuity, and that revenue should be permanently ring-fenced for environmental initiatives through primary legislation. The LNP members, represented by Jon Krause MP (Member for Scenic Rim), filed a statement of reservation opposing the bill, arguing it was a tax on families and businesses with less than 10 per cent of revenue directed to environmental programs, that no specific modelling on the impact to small business had been undertaken, and that the bill would disproportionately affect regional communities lacking recycling infrastructure.
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Safer Waterways Bill 2018Did not recommend passage2nd reading failed

Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee : Report No. 7, 56th Parliament - Safer Waterways Bill 20182018-09-21

Committee findings

The Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee examined the Safer Waterways Bill 2018 over six months, receiving 34 submissions and holding public hearings in Brisbane, Cairns, Port Douglas, Townsville and Mackay. The committee recommended the bill not be passed, finding that its provisions to allow untrained people to kill crocodiles and potentially legalise trophy hunting posed unacceptable risks to public safety. The committee also found that the bill's culling and hunting provisions were likely to breach international, national and state obligations, threatening Queensland's crocodile farming export industry, and that its restrictions on foreign investment in crocodile farming were ill-conceived.

Key findings
  • The majority of submitters and public hearing attendees did not support the bill's proposed measures for crocodile management.
  • The bill's provisions allowing untrained landowners to kill crocodiles and permit others to hunt on their land for a fee would create serious public safety risks and potentially legalise trophy hunting.
  • The proposed culling and harvesting regime was likely to breach Australia's obligations under CITES and the EPBC Act, which could shut down Queensland's existing crocodile farming export industry.
  • Queensland lacks the population monitoring data needed to set sustainable harvesting quotas, unlike the Northern Territory which has conducted long-term population surveys since the 1970s.
  • The Department of Environment and Science advised that the bill's policy objectives could be achieved through amendments to existing legislation without the need for a new Queensland Crocodile Authority.
Recommendations
  • The committee recommends the Safer Waterways Bill 2018 not be passed.
Dissenting views: Sandy Bolton MP (Member for Noosa) filed a statement of reservation. While supporting the committee's recommendation against the bill, she highlighted three actions for consideration: incorporating Indigenous Ranger programs into crocodile management plans to improve response times; using the next review of the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan to reclassify zoning and develop place-based management plans with impacted communities; and increasing the Crocwise education program for residents and visitors, including a phone app for reporting sightings.
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Nature Conservation (Special Wildlife Reserves) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2018Recommended passagePASSED with amendment

Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee : Report No. 2, 56th Parliament - The Nature Conservation (Special Wildlife Reserves) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2018, government response2018-07-09

Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee : Report No. 2, 56th Parliament - The Nature Conservation (Special Wildlife Reserves) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 20182018-04-09

Committee findings

The Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee examined the bill and recommended it be passed. The committee made three recommendations: passage of the bill, that the Minister work with Traditional Owners to address native title concerns, and that amendments be considered to improve public accountability for management programs of special wildlife reserves. The government accepted all three recommendations and proposed amendments during consideration in detail, including requiring an Indigenous Land Use Agreement before declaring a special wildlife reserve on leasehold land in the Cape York Peninsula Region.

Key findings
  • The majority of submissions supported establishing the new class of privately managed protected area (special wildlife reserve) with national park-level statutory protection.
  • Traditional Owners raised concerns about the potential impact on native title, particularly regarding the Cape York Peninsula Tenure Resolution Program.
  • State and third-party interests including mining, energy, forestry, agriculture, water resources, and native title would be assessed before any special wildlife reserve could be declared.
  • The bill also amended the Environmental Protection Act to enable regulation of trans-shipping activities in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, covering activities partly in Commonwealth waters.
  • Stakeholders sought improved public accountability regarding management programs for special wildlife reserves.
Recommendations
  • The committee recommends that the Nature Conservation (Special Wildlife Reserves) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2018 be passed.
  • The committee recommends that the Minister work with Traditional Owners to ensure their concerns in relation to native title are addressed.
  • The committee recommends that the Minister look at reasonable amendments that would improve public accountability with respect to management programs for special wildlife reserves.
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Other Reports (25)

Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee: Report No. 29, 56th Parliament-Subordinate legislation tabled between 5 February 2020 and 17 March 2020: Erratum

Subordinate Legislation2020-05-07

Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee: Report No. 29, 56th Parliament-Subordinate legislation tabled between 5 February 2020 and 17 March 2020

Subordinate Legislation2020-05-06

Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee: Report No. 28, 56th Parliament-Subordinate legislation tabled between 27 November 2019 and 4 February 2020

Subordinate Legislation2020-05-06

Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee: Report No. 27, 56th Parliament-Subordinate legislation tabled between 16 October 2019 and 26 November 2019

Subordinate Legislation2020-03-24

Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee: Report No. 26, 56th Parliament-Inquiry into the redevelopment of the Mon Repos Turtle Centre

Inquiry2020-03-23

Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee: Report No. 24, 56th Parliament, February 2020-Subordinate legislation tabled between 4 September 2019 and 15 October 2019

Subordinate Legislation2020-02-07

Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee: Report No 23, 56th Parliament, November 2019-Subordinate legislation tabled between 21 August 2019 and 3 September 2019

Subordinate Legislation2019-11-28

Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee: Report No. 22, 56th Parliament, October 2019-Annual Report 2018-19

Other2019-10-28

Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee: Report No 21, 56th Parliament, October 2019-Subordinate legislation tabled between 12 June 2019 and 20 August 2019

Subordinate Legislation2019-10-17

Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee: Report No. 20, 56th Parliament, September 2019-Examination of Auditor-General Report No. 7: 2018-19-Conserving threatened species

audit2019-09-19

Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee: Report No. 19, 56th Parliament, August 2019-Subordinate legislation tabled between 1 May 2019 and 11 June 2019

Subordinate Legislation2019-08-23

Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee: Report No. 18, 56th Parliament, August 2019-2019-20 Budget Estimates - Volume of Additional Information

Other2019-08-16

Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee: Report No. 18, 56th Parliament, August 2019-2019-20 Budget Estimates

Other2019-08-16

Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee: Report No. 17, 56th Parliament-Subordinate legislation tabled between 13 February 2019 and 30 April 2019

Subordinate Legislation2019-06-12

Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee: Report No. 15, 56th Parliament, April 2019-Subordinate legislation tabled between 8 February 2019 and 12 February 2019

Subordinate Legislation2019-04-05

Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee: Report No. 13, 56th Parliament-Subordinate legislation tabled between 19 September 2018 and 30 October 2018

Subordinate Legislation2019-02-15

Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee: Report No. 12, 56th Parliament, February 2019-Examination of Auditor-General Report No. 16 of 2017-18: Follow-up of managing water quality in Great Barrier Reef Catchments

audit2019-02-15

Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee : Report No 11, 56th Parliament - Subordinate Legislation tabled between 13 June 2018 and 18 September 2018

Subordinate Legislation2018-10-29

Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee : Report No. 8, 56th Parliament - Subordinate legislation tabled between 2 May 2018 and 12 June 2018

Subordinate Legislation2018-10-15

Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee : Report No. 6, 56th Parliament - Consideration of the Auditor-General's Report 1: 2017-18 - Follow-up of Report 15: 2013-14 Environmental regulation of the resources and waste industries

audit2018-09-03

Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee : Report No. 5, 56th Parliament - 2018-19 Budget Estimates - Additional Information

Other2018-08-17

Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee : Report No. 5, 56th Parliament - 2018-19 Budget Estimates

Other2018-08-17

Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee : Report No. 4, 56th Parliament - Subordinate legislation tabled between 7 March 2018 and 1 May 2018

Subordinate Legislation2018-06-11

Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee : Report No. 3, 56th Parliament - Subordinate legislation tabled between 11 October 2017 and 6 March 2018

Subordinate Legislation2018-05-14

Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee : Report No. 1, 56th Parliament - Subordinate legislation tabled between 9 August 2017 and 10 October 2017

Subordinate Legislation2018-03-05