Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services
OrganisationReferenced in 12 bills
Domestic and Family Violence Protection and Another Act Amendment Bill 2015
This bill strengthens Queensland's domestic violence laws in response to the 'Not Now, Not Ever' taskforce report. It changes how courts handle competing protection order applications, makes courts actively consider ordering perpetrators out of the family home, gives victims a stronger voice in decisions, and clearly authorises police to use body-worn cameras on duty.
Multicultural Recognition Bill 2015
This bill recognises the contribution of Queensland's diverse communities and sets up a framework for government to be more responsive to cultural, linguistic and religious diversity. It creates a Multicultural Queensland Charter, an Advisory Council to guide the Minister, and requires a multicultural policy and action plan with regular public reporting.
Fire and Emergency Services (Domestic Smoke Alarms) Amendment Bill 2016
This bill tightens Queensland's smoke alarm rules in response to the 2011 Slacks Creek house fire that killed 11 people. It requires every home to have photoelectric, interconnected smoke alarms powered by hardwiring or a 10-year lithium battery, phased in over a decade from 1 January 2017 to 1 January 2027.
Domestic and Family Violence Protection and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016
This bill strengthens Queensland's domestic and family violence protections following the 'Not Now, Not Ever' taskforce report. It gives police more power to protect victims on the spot, makes protection orders last longer, lets agencies share information to respond to serious threats, and joins the national scheme that recognises domestic violence orders across state borders.
Child Protection Reform Amendment Bill 2016
This bill reforms Queensland's child protection court system by implementing ten recommendations from the 2013 Carmody Inquiry. It strengthens the voice of children and families in Childrens Court proceedings, clarifies which agency applies for which kind of order, and introduces a new duty of disclosure.
Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Amendment Bill 2015
This bill updates Queensland's guide, hearing and assistance dog laws so that people with disability who need a support person to handle their dog (like a child with autism and their parent) are properly recognised. It also cuts red tape by letting approved trainers issue handler ID cards directly, and gives inspectors stronger powers to enforce the Act.
Adoption and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016
This bill modernises Queensland's adoption laws after a five-year statutory review. It opens adoption to same-sex couples, single people and people undergoing fertility treatment, improves access to adoption records (including information about possible birth fathers), and removes an old criminal offence for breaching pre-1991 contact statements. It also tightens the step-parent adoption process and allows in-person contact between adopted children and their birth families during interim orders.
Appropriation Bill 2016
This bill is the 2016-17 Queensland Budget in legal form. It authorises the Treasurer to spend $47.6 billion across government departments for the year starting 1 July 2016, and a further $23.8 billion in interim supply to keep government running into 2017-18.
Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2016
This bill gives Parliament's formal approval for $390.126 million of extra government spending that occurred during the 2015-16 financial year beyond what the original budget allowed. It is a routine housekeeping Act required whenever departments spend more than their original appropriation.
Appropriation Bill 2017
This bill is Queensland's annual state budget in legal form. It authorises the Treasurer to spend $50.85 billion from the consolidated fund on government departments for 2017-18, and provides $25.43 billion in interim supply to keep government running in the first half of 2018-19 until the next budget passes.
Family Responsibilities Commission Amendment Bill 2015
This bill updates the Family Responsibilities Commission Act 2008 to strengthen how the Commission works in the five welfare reform communities (Aurukun, Coen, Doomadgee, Hope Vale and Mossman Gorge). Its main change adds a domestic violence 'trigger' so courts must notify the Commission when a protection order is made against a community resident, implementing Recommendation 93 of the 'Not Now, Not Ever' report.
Disability Services and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2015
This bill extends Queensland's disability safeguards to providers funded through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) as the scheme rolls out from 2016. It makes sure NDIS participants keep the same state-based protections - worker screening, complaints handling, community visitor checks and coroner oversight - that currently apply to people funded directly by the Queensland Government.