National Cabinet
OrganisationReferenced in 5 bills
COVID-19 Emergency Response Bill 2020
This bill was Queensland's second emergency legislative response to the COVID-19 pandemic, passed in April 2020. It created temporary powers to protect residential and commercial tenants from eviction, enabled Parliament and courts to operate remotely, established a Small Business Commissioner, and allowed legal documents to be witnessed electronically. All provisions expired on 31 December 2020.
Help to Buy (Commonwealth Powers) Bill 2024
This bill enables the federal Help to Buy shared equity scheme to operate in Queensland by referring specific legislative powers to the Commonwealth Parliament. Under the scheme, the Australian Government will contribute up to 40 per cent of the purchase price for a new home or 30 per cent for an existing home, helping low to middle income earners buy a home with as little as a 2 per cent deposit. Queensland is the first state to pass this legislation.
Public Health and Other Legislation (Public Health Emergency) Amendment Bill 2020
This bill gave the Queensland Government broad emergency powers to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. It strengthened the Chief Health Officer's ability to issue enforceable public health directions, introduced on-the-spot fines for non-compliance, provided flexibility for elections and planning processes, and allowed Executive Council meetings to be held remotely. Most emergency provisions included a one-year sunset clause.
Fighting Antisemitism and Keeping Guns out of the Hands of Terrorists and Criminals Amendment Bill 2026
This bill responds to the December 2025 Bondi Beach terrorist attack by strengthening laws against antisemitism and hate crimes, and significantly tightening firearms controls in Queensland. It introduces new offences for hate expressions and intimidation near places of worship, dramatically increases penalties for weapons offences, bans 3D-printed firearm blueprints, restricts weapons licences to Australian citizens, and expands police powers to disrupt criminal activity.
Public Health and Other Legislation (COVID-19 Management) Amendment Bill 2022
This bill wound back Queensland's broad COVID-19 emergency powers and replaced them with a smaller set of temporary public health powers that expired on 31 October 2023. It allowed the Chief Health Officer to continue issuing directions about isolation, quarantine, masks and vaccination of workers in high-risk settings, but removed powers for border closures, lockdowns, gathering restrictions and general vaccination requirements.