Racing

This bill overhauls Queensland's casino and gambling regulation following major integrity failures found at casinos in other states. It introduces stronger enforcement powers for casino operators including fines up to $50 million, enables cashless gambling across all forms of gambling, creates a new simulated events wagering product, and simplifies fundraising rules for national charities.

This bill overhauls how stewards' decisions are challenged in Queensland's racing industry. It creates a new independent Racing Appeals Panel to replace the current system of internal reviews and lengthy QCAT hearings, ensuring disputes are resolved in days rather than months. The bill also introduces online publication of stewards' reports and substance test results to improve transparency.

This bill makes a broad range of changes across agriculture, biosecurity, animal welfare, forestry, racing and nature conservation law. Its most prominent measures double penalties for trespassing on farming land, strengthen biosecurity obligations for anyone entering places where biosecurity matter is present, clarify that leaving animals in hot vehicles is an offence, and expand access to farm debt mediation.

This bill strengthens anti-corruption measures in Queensland prisons following the Crime and Corruption Commission's Taskforce Flaxton report, reforms the parole system based on the Queensland Parole System Review, creates a permanent firearms amnesty, and regulates the possession of replica firearms including gel blasters.

This bill introduces a 15% point-of-consumption betting tax on the net wagering revenue that betting operators earn from customers located in Queensland. It replaces the old wagering tax (which was based on where the operator was located) and brings Queensland into line with similar taxes in South Australia and Victoria.

This bill updates Queensland's 20-year-old animal welfare laws to match modern science and community expectations. It bans harmful practices like prong collars and horse leg firing, creates tougher penalties for serious animal neglect, requires CCTV surveillance at slaughterhouses, and introduces new protections for retired racehorses.

This bill increases Queensland's betting tax from 15 to 20 per cent by adding a 5 per cent racing levy, and directs 80 per cent of that revenue to Racing Queensland to fund the racing industry. It also makes administrative changes to support the new mental health levy on large employers.