Mr Jim McDonald MP

As chair of the committee that considered the bill, praised the minister's efforts and expressed enthusiasm for Queensland being open for business for major events, particularly in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympics.

“Queensland is open for business. We are here to make sure we have major events right across the state.”— 2026-02-12View Hansard

Drew on his experience as a former police officer to support the bill, arguing Labor's original trial was set up to fail due to restrictive eligibility criteria and that the bill gives courts the tools they need.

“They were set up to fail. There were four people in the first year because they had to agree to it, they had to have their parents agree, they had to have somewhere to charge it overnight, they had to have committed an indictable offence.”— 2026-02-11View Hansard

As a former police officer, supported the bill's sensible mechanisms for digital platform complaints, the seven-day response timeframe, and particularly the absolute privilege protection for police performing their duties.

“We do not want police to feel that they are going to face defamation action when they are providing good information to the community.”— 2025-12-11View Hansard