Regional Queensland

Rural services, agriculture, drought, regional development

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58th Parliament (2024–present)13 bills

Regional Planning Interests (Condamine Alluvium) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026

Awaiting DebateThis bill has been introduced but the main debate (second reading) hasn't started yet.

•Darling Downs farmers can claim compensation if CSG extraction causes the ground under their property to sink and affects their agricultural productivityClause 7, Division 3Creates statutory subsidence compensation liability for CSG resource authority holders to compensate owners or occupiers of affected land.
•Landholders up to 5 km outside a gas tenement boundary can also claim subsidence compensationClause 7, s 101KSubsidence compensation extends to land within 5 km outside the authorised area of a CSG resource authority.
•Gas companies must get a landholder's agreement before drilling directional wells under their land in the Condamine AlluviumClause 7, s 101IDrilling a directional well is deemed an advanced activity requiring a conduct and compensation agreement with the landholder.

25/3/2026· Hon J Bleijie MPEnvironment

Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026

Awaiting DebateThis bill has been introduced but the main debate (second reading) hasn't started yet.

•Higher minimum fines for stock theft and related offences give stronger protections to farmers and graziers affected by rural crimeClauses 42-48Minimum prescribed fines for nine stock-related offences increased — most more than doubled, e.g. from 4 to 10 penalty units.
•Regional Queenslanders can now access the District Court for civil disputes up to $1.5 million — with 31 locations compared to the Supreme Court's 10Clause 62The District Court has more regional locations than the Supreme Court, improving geographic access to justice.

4/3/2026· Hon D Frecklington MPJustice & RightsSafety & Emergency

Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority Bill 2026

Awaiting DebateThis bill has been introduced but the main debate (second reading) hasn't started yet.

•Sunshine Coast residents get a dedicated authority to manage local waterways, addressing concerns about fragmented management by multiple councils and state agenciesPart 2The SCWA is established to strategically plan for and facilitate the sustainable use, management and development of Sunshine Coast waterways.
•Local communities will have a formal say in how their waterways are managed through mandatory public consultation on the 10-year strategy and four-year management programsClauses 15 and 19The authority must take reasonable steps to engage in public consultation and consult with Maritime Safety Queensland and the three local councils.
•The Mooloolaba boat harbour transfers to local management by the new authority instead of being managed from BrisbaneClause 83 (new s 590)The SCWA is appointed as manager of the Mooloolaba State managed boat harbour from commencement.

4/3/2026· Hon B Mickelberg MPEnvironmentGovernment & Elections

Resources Safety and Health Queensland and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026

2nd reading adjourned

•Landholders in resource regions keep access to a free dispute resolution service when resource activities affect their landPart 4The LAO's expanded voluntary dispute resolution functions during negotiation of land access agreements remain free, with government funding continuing at approximately $622,000 per year.
•Modern spatial data replaces outdated paper map requirements for mining tenements, making processes more efficientClauses 35, 36, 46, 47, 51-55Replaces map-based requirements with spatial data to reflect modern methods of providing this information.

3/3/2026· Hon D Last MPWork & EmploymentBusiness & Economy

Local Government (Empowering Councils) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025

Passed (amended)This bill became law after being modified during debate.

•Rural and remote councils can access State-owned quarry materials more quickly for road repairs and disaster recovery, with flexible notice periods replacing the rigid 7-day ruleClause 59Amends section 143 of the LGA so a reasonable entry notice is given within a reasonable period before entry, rather than a fixed 7 days.
•Councils in disaster-affected areas can make recovery decisions during election caretaker periods without seeking individual ministerial approval each timeClauses 6 and 52New sections 92BB (COBA) and 90BB (LGA) allow the Minister to issue a blanket approval for disaster recovery decisions during caretaker periods.
•Divisional boundary reviews before council elections are now conducted by the Electoral Commission instead of individual councils, reducing the administrative burdenClause 50Amends section 16 of the LGA to require the ECQ to conduct the review, with the deadline moved to 1 October two years before the election.

20/11/2025· Hon A Leahy MPGovernment & ElectionsFirst NationsCommittee: pass (dissent)

Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025

Awaiting DebateThis bill has been introduced but the main debate (second reading) hasn't started yet.

•Bore owners near resource operations can now request a bore assessment if they have evidence their bore is being affectedClause 202 (new section 419B)Bore owners on a resource tenure can apply to the chief executive with evidence linked to bore capacity, health and safety risks, or impacts on water supply.
•Resource companies must report annually to OGIA on make-good measures for affected water bores, with penalties up to 500 penalty units for non-complianceClause 205 (new section 437B)Reporting covers whether bores have impaired capacity, what make-good measures are in place, and progress on implementation.
•Make-good agreements are now limited to bore-related matters — resource companies cannot bundle in land access provisionsClause 203Section 420 clarified so only bore assessment outcomes, impaired capacity, make-good measures and cooling-off rights are within the scope of the agreement.
•Underground water impact reports now due every 5 years instead of 3, with stronger baseline assessment requirementsClause 184Reduces administrative burden while maintaining oversight through new baseline assessment strategies for cumulative management areas.

20/11/2025· Hon A Powell MPEnvironmentBusiness & EconomyCommittee: pass

Energy Roadmap Amendment Bill 2025

Passed (amended)This bill became law after being modified during debate.

•North and North West Queensland will be connected to the national electricity grid through the CopperString transmission projectClause 58 (new section 95)The CopperString project involves constructing a transmission network from Mount Isa to the national grid near Woodstock.
•Regional energy hubs replace renewable energy zones, providing a framework for coordinated transmission development in regional areasClause 30Part 6 is renamed from 'Renewable energy zones' to 'Regional energy hubs' to better reflect market-led development.
•The impact on regional communities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, must be considered when declaring regional energy hubsClause 35The Minister and Treasurer must have regard to the impact that development and operation of a transmission network in a regional energy hub has on communities.

16/10/2025· Hon D Janetzki MPEnvironmentCost of LivingCommittee: pass

Greenhouse Gas Storage Amendment Bill 2025

PassedThis bill became law.

•Landholders in the former CTSCo permit area gain free water bores for stock watering, improving their access to Great Artesian Basin waterClause 6, s 474–475Ownership of all infrastructure and equipment forming part of the bore is transferred to the landowner upon giving a notice of transfer.
•Landholders receive a water licence for stock purposes automatically, without needing to lodge a separate applicationClause 6, s 479(2)The Water Act regulator must grant a water licence within 60 business days of receiving the notice of transfer.
•All conversion work must be done by a licensed bore driller to proper construction standards, ensuring the bores are safe and reliable for long-term useClause 6, s 467(1)(c)–(d)A licensed water bore driller must convert the well in accordance with the water bore construction codes and sign a conversion certificate.

26/8/2025· Hon D Last MPEnvironmentCommittee: pass

Major Sports Facilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025

Passed (amended)This bill became law after being modified during debate.

•Gold Coast residents gain access to more concerts locally, with international artists more likely to include the region on tour schedulesClause 29Respondents indicated allowing both stadia to have amplified music concerts until 10:30pm will encourage more international artists to stage concerts on the Gold Coast.
•The Gold Coast's cultural and entertainment economy benefits from consistent concert rules across South East Queensland stadiumsClause 29Inconsistent concert finishing times create commercial disadvantages for Gold Coast stadium operators and limit opportunities for Gold Coast residents.

26/8/2025· Hon T Mander MPBusiness & EconomyJustice & RightsCommittee: pass

Coroners (Mining and Resources Coroner) Amendment Bill 2025

PassedThis bill became law.

•Workers at regional mine sites, quarries, and petroleum and gas operations gain stronger coronial oversight of workplace fatalitiesClause 5Scope covers coal mines, mines including quarries and mining railways, and petroleum and gas sites across Queensland.
•Open investigations into past mining deaths in regional Queensland are automatically reassigned to the specialist coronerClause 20Transitional provision reassigns pre-commencement mining death investigations to the Mining and Resources Coroner.

12/6/2025· Hon D Frecklington MPWork & EmploymentJustice & RightsCommittee: pass

Planning (Social Impact and Community Benefit) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025

Passed (amended)This bill became law after being modified during debate.

•Regional communities hosting renewable energy projects can negotiate community benefits like local infrastructure, training programs or financial contributionsClause 21, ss 106Y–106ZCommunity benefit agreements may include providing or contributing towards infrastructure, training programs to upskill community members, or financial contributions to a fund established for the community.
•Local governments gain the power to charge fees for reviewing social impact assessments and negotiating community benefit agreementsClause 21, s 106ZMLocal governments may charge fees for considering the SIA report and for negotiating a community benefit agreement, payable whether or not an agreement is entered into.
•Olympic venues planned for regional Queensland include upgraded stadiums in Cairns, rowing facilities in Rockhampton, equestrian facilities in Toowoomba, and mountain biking on the Sunshine CoastClause 72, Schedules 1–2Authority venues include Barlow Stadium Park in Parramatta Park (Cairns), Fitzroy River rowing facilities near Rockhampton, Toowoomba Showgrounds and Sunshine Coast Mountain Bike Centre.

1/5/2025· Hon J Bleijie MPEnvironmentGovernment & ElectionsCommittee: pass (dissent)

Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 2025

Passed (amended)This bill became law after being modified during debate.

•Remote schools with multiple campuses, like Tagai State College in the Torres Strait, can now form a separate P&C Association for each campusClause 31 (new Part 11, ss 154A-154L)Schools prescribed by regulation as regional State schools can have campus-level P&C Associations, addressing the challenge of geographically dispersed communities spanning thousands of square kilometres.
•P&C Associations can donate funds or goods to schools affected by natural disasters like floods or bushfiresClause 7 (new s 142A)Enables a P&C to give financial assistance, resources or services to another school or P&C affected by an adverse event such as a natural disaster.
•Families in remote areas more than 16km from an approved kindergarten program can access eKindy, rather than being excluded because a non-approved centre-based service is closerClause 35 (s 419F)The distance criterion now measures to the nearest centre-based service delivering an approved kindergarten program or prescribed state school kindergarten, not just any centre catering for kindergarten-aged children.

14/3/2025· Hon J Langbroek MPEducationChildren & FamiliesCommittee: pass

Crocodile Control and Conservation Bill 2025

DefeatedThis bill was defeated at the second reading — the main debate on its principles. It cannot proceed further.

•The Crocodile Authority would have been based in Cairns with all staff required to live locally, creating regional jobsClause 6The business premises of the authority must be located in Cairns. The director and staff of the authority must reside in Cairns.
•Indigenous landholders in North Queensland would have gained new income opportunities from crocodile egg harvesting and managementClause 10(1)(h)For Aboriginal land or Torres Strait Islander land, to authorise the owner of the land to kill crocodiles, allow others to kill crocodiles for payment, relocate crocodiles, harvest eggs, or otherwise manage crocodiles.
•North Queensland rowing clubs, surf lifesaving groups, and tourism operators would have benefited from safer waterwaysClause 19(2)In deciding to make the declaration the director must have regard to the public's recreational or commercial use and enjoyment of the waterway.
•A new crocodile farming and egg harvesting industry would have been developed, expanding Queensland's current 5,000-egg limitClause 10(1)(b)-(d)The director has functions to authorise crocodile farms, decide the number of eggs that may be harvested each year, and authorise persons to harvest crocodile eggs.

19/2/2025· Mr S Knuth MPSafety & EmergencyEnvironmentCommittee: not recommended

57th Parliament (2020–2024)25 bills

Crocodile Control, Conservation and Safety Bill 2024

Lapsed

•The new Crocodile Authority would be based in Cairns with all staff sourced from the region, creating local jobsClause 6The business premises of the authority must be located in Cairns. The director and staff must reside in Cairns.
•Indigenous landholders could earn income from crocodile egg harvesting or allowing paid hunting on their landClause 10(1)(h)Authorises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander landowners to kill crocodiles, harvest eggs, allow paid hunting, or otherwise manage crocodiles on their land.
•North Queensland rowing clubs, surf lifesaving groups, and tourism businesses affected by crocodile numbers would benefit from safer waterwaysClause 19

21/8/2024· Mr S Knuth MPSafety & EmergencyEnvironment

Queensland Food Farmers’ Commissioner Bill 2024

PassedThis bill became law.

•Queensland farmers get an independent advocate to help them deal with major supermarkets on pricing and supplier arrangementsClause 5The Commissioner's main functions include providing a primary point of contact for matters affecting farmers and helping them understand supermarket supplier arrangements.
•Farmers can raise concerns about unfair supermarket practices through a safe, confidential channelClause 27Confidentiality provisions protect information disclosed to the Commissioner, with a 50 penalty unit maximum for unauthorised disclosure.
•The Commissioner covers all farming types including dairy, horticulture, pastoral, poultry, viticulture, and aquacultureClause 3Farming business is broadly defined to include agricultural, apicultural, dairy farming, horticultural, land-based aquacultural, pastoral, poultry keeping, and viticultural businesses.

20/8/2024· Hon G Butcher MPBusiness & EconomyCost of Living

Cross-Border Commissioner Bill 2024

PassedThis bill became law.

•If you live near a state border, you will have a dedicated Commissioner to advocate for better services and resolve issues caused by different rules on each sideClause 5The Commissioner's main functions include advocating for resolution of issues affecting cross-border communities and improved access to services.
•Border communities will benefit from a priority focus on building disaster management capacity, particularly along the Queensland-NSW borderThe explanatory notes identify disaster management capacity and resilience as a priority focus for Queensland cross-border communities on the Queensland-New South Wales border.
•The Commissioner will work with local councils, regional bodies, and other states to tackle regulatory gaps that affect border residents' daily livesClause 5(1)(b)Functions include building effective relationships with stakeholders in cross-border communities and stakeholders whose activities affect cross-border communities.

20/8/2024· Hon G Butcher MPGovernment & Elections

Crocodile Control and Conservation Bill 2024

WithdrawnThis bill was withdrawn from consideration and will not become law.

•The new Crocodile Authority would be based in Cairns with all staff sourced regionally, creating local jobsClause 6The business premises of the authority must be located in Cairns. The director and staff of the authority must reside in Cairns.
•Indigenous landholders in North Queensland could earn income by managing crocodiles and harvesting eggs on their landClause 10(1)(h)Authorises Indigenous landholders to kill crocodiles, allow others to kill crocodiles for payment, relocate crocodiles, harvest eggs, or otherwise manage crocodiles on their land.
•Expanded crocodile egg harvesting could create a new industry for regional Queensland, currently limited to 5,000 eggs compared to 90,000 in the Northern TerritoryClause 23(2)(b)Enables the director to authorise an adult who has completed a crocodile egg harvesting safety course to harvest crocodile eggs in any part of the State.
•An advisory committee must include members from north of Mackay with experience in wildlife conservation and waterway recreationClause 14(3)Must include at least one member who resides north of Mackay with wildlife conservation experience, and one involved in community organisations for waterway recreation.

22/5/2024· Mr S Knuth MPSafety & EmergencyEnvironment

Mount Isa Mines Limited Agreement (Continuing Mining Activities) Amendment Bill 2024

Lapsed

•Mount Isa's economy would have been protected from sudden mine closure, safeguarding the city's role as a services hub for the wider regionClause 3, s 5B(1)(c)(i)The Minister may approve an operational change only if satisfied the change will not adversely affect the Mount Isa community or the Queensland economy.
•If the current operator wanted to leave, a public tender would have given other companies the chance to keep the mine runningClause 3, s 5B(1)(c)(ii)After making a public call for tenders, the Minister must identify a candidate to carry out the preserved mining activity.

1/5/2024· Mr R Katter MPWork & EmploymentBusiness & EconomyCommittee: not recommended

Mineral and Energy Resources and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024

Passed (amended)This bill became law after being modified during debate.

•Farmers whose land is damaged by CSG subsidence can claim compensation and negotiate management plans with gas companiesChapter 5A, Parts 4-5 (Clause 87)Relevant holders must compensate owners and occupiers for cost, damage or loss from CSG-induced subsidence, including consequential loss.
•If CSG subsidence makes farming unviable, landholders can apply for a critical consequence decision and the Minister can direct companies to stop productionSections 184KH-184KO (Clause 87)Critical consequence means damage so unreasonable it affects the viability of farming practices or business activities. Maximum penalty 4,500 penalty units for non-compliance.
•Coexistence Queensland (formerly GasFields Commission) will now support regional communities dealing with renewable energy projects as well as resourcesSection 7 (Clause 16)Functions expanded to facilitate better relationships between landholders, regional communities, the resources industry and the renewable energy industry.
•The Land Access Ombudsman can now help resolve a wider range of disputes between landholders and resource companies, including subsidence issuesPart 7 (Clauses 38-67)LAO jurisdiction expanded to investigate breaches of access agreements, subsidence management plans and subsidence compensation agreements.

18/4/2024· Hon S Stewart MPEnvironmentBusiness & EconomyCommittee: pass

Disaster Management and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024

Passed (amended)This bill became law after being modified during debate.

•Rural fire brigade volunteers gain enhanced legal protections equivalent to other emergency service volunteers, including civil liability coverageClause 46 (new s 80)The inclusion of rural fire brigades and members as part of RFSQ enhances civil liability protections under the Public Sector Act 2022 and Civil Liability Act 2003.
•A dedicated Rural Fire Service Queensland is established with its own Chief Officer and advisory committee to focus on bushfire management and support for regional communitiesClause 62 (new Chapter 4)RFSQ has additional functions including bushfire prevention, investigation, community resilience support and management of rural fire brigades.
•Rural fire brigades must adopt new model rules issued by the Commissioner within six months, replacing locally made rulesClause 81 (new s 229)Existing brigade rules continue to apply until the brigade adopts model rules or six months after commencement, whichever comes first.

7/3/2024· Hon N Boyd MPSafety & EmergencyGovernment & ElectionsCommittee: pass (dissent)

Clean Economy Jobs Bill 2024

Passed (amended)This bill became law after being modified during debate.

•Impacts on rural and regional areas must be considered when setting future emissions targets for 2040 and 2045Clause 6(4)(e)The Minister must consider the economic, financial, social and environmental impact the interim target may have on communities, industries and rural and regional areas.
•The Expert Panel must include someone with experience in rural and regional developmentClause 16(2)(d)Panel members must have qualifications or experience in rural and regional development among other areas.

14/2/2024· Hon S Miles MPEnvironmentWork & EmploymentCommittee: pass (dissent)

Health and Other Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2023

Passed (amended)This bill became law after being modified during debate.

•People in rural and remote Queensland can access early medical termination from local nurses and midwives instead of travelling to a city to see a doctorClause 22 (new s 6A)The amendments improve health equity by allowing nurses and midwives to perform early medical terminations, addressing barriers faced by people in regional, remote and rural areas.
•Doctors in regional areas no longer face duplicate paperwork for reporting dust lung diseases to both state and national registriesClause 20 (s 279AF)Exempts medical practitioners from Queensland reporting where there has been notification to the National Occupational Respiratory Disease Registry.

30/11/2023· Hon S Fentiman MPHealthJustice & RightsCommittee: pass (dissent)

Pharmacy Business Ownership Bill 2023

PassedThis bill became law.

•The council can impose conditions instead of cancelling a pharmacy licence if the pharmacy is the only one in a rural or remote areaClause 63The council may change licence conditions instead of suspending or cancelling where necessary to ensure the health and wellbeing of customers — for example, requiring a different pharmacist to carry on business temporarily.
•Ownership restrictions are maintained to prevent large corporations closing small-town pharmacies in favour of regional centresClauses 10, 15, 17The parliamentary committee found that relaxing ownership requirements could result in monopolies concentrating services in regional centres, causing closures of smaller rural pharmacies.

30/11/2023· Hon S Fentiman MPHealthBusiness & EconomyCommittee: pass

State Emergency Service Bill 2023

PassedThis bill became law.

•Regional communities retain their local SES units with local governments continuing to nominate who leads themClauses 23-24Commissioner must consider community needs, volunteer availability, and equipment sustainability when establishing units.
•SES volunteers across Queensland's 75 units gain mandatory WorkCover insurance coverage while performing SES duties or trainingClause 20Commissioner must enter into insurance contracts covering volunteers during SES functions and related training.
•New SES commander roles coordinate emergency response across local government boundaries when resources are shared between areasClauses 26-27SES commanders coordinate performance of SES functions when resources from outside local government areas are made available.

28/11/2023· Hon M Ryan MPSafety & EmergencyGovernment & ElectionsCommittee: pass (dissent)

Marine Rescue Queensland Bill 2023

PassedThis bill became law.

•Coastal and island communities get a single, coordinated marine rescue service replacing the previous patchwork of separate volunteer organisationsPart 2, Division 5The Commissioner may establish MRQ units for areas of the state after consulting local community representatives and considering community needs.
•MRQ coordinators will manage groups of local units to share resources across regions during emergenciesClause 22MRQ coordinators coordinate the performance of MRQ functions when resources from outside the area are made available to a group of units.
•Around 2,600 volunteers across 47 squadrons and flotillas from the Gold Coast to the Torres Strait transition into the new unified serviceClause 33Transitional provisions list 27 existing volunteer marine rescue entities whose references may be taken as references to MRQ.

28/11/2023· Hon M Ryan MPSafety & EmergencyGovernment & ElectionsCommittee: pass

Agriculture and Fisheries and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023

Passed (amended)This bill became law after being modified during debate.

•Farmers facing debt disputes will receive a 'notice inviting a request for mediation' instead of an 'enforcement action notice', making the process less intimidatingClause 131Shifts emphasis from enforcement to mediation, intended to be less confronting for farmers unfamiliar with the process.
•Local councils can now manage locally significant pest plants and animals under state biosecurity law, instead of juggling separate local lawsClause 87 (section 48)Local governments gain the function of managing invasive animals or plants declared under local law that meet the local invasive biosecurity matter criteria.
•Industrial cannabis growers benefit from expanded testing and better information sharing with police, reducing the risk of mistaken enforcement action against legal operatorsClauses 124-126Proactive information sharing between DAF and QPS will protect industrial cannabis growers from unnecessary searches of licensed operations.

16/11/2023· Hon M Furner MPSafety & EmergencyEnvironmentJustice & RightsBusiness & EconomyCommittee: pass

Land and Other Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2023

PassedThis bill became law.

•Local councils in resource regions gain stronger powers to recover unpaid rates from petroleum, geothermal, and gas storage companies operating in their areaClauses 4, 10, 99, 102Payment of local government rates and charges becomes a mandatory condition of resource authorities, with security deposits available to cover unpaid amounts.
•Resource companies that do not pay their local government rates may have their authority renewal, amalgamation, or division applications refusedClauses 6-7, 103-106The Minister may require payment of rates and interest on overdue charges as a condition of deciding renewal, amalgamation, and division applications.
•Trustees of operational state land in regional areas gain a simpler pathway to convert trust land to freehold, reducing administrative burdenClauses 29 and 37New subdivisions provide streamlined processes for converting operational reserves and non-Indigenous DOGITs to freehold tenure.

15/11/2023· Hon S Stewart MPEnvironmentFirst NationsGovernment & ElectionsCommittee: pass (dissent)

Emblems of Queensland and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023

PassedThis bill became law.

•The Muttaburrasaurus langdoni, discovered near Muttaburra in central western Queensland, is now officially Queensland's State fossil emblemClause 6 (new sch 4, s 6)Prescribes 'The Muttaburra dinosaur' (Muttaburrasaurus langdoni) as the State's fossil emblem following a statewide public nomination campaign.

14/9/2023· Hon S Hinchliffe MPGovernment & ElectionsCommittee: pass

Land Valuation Amendment Bill 2023

Lapsed

•Farmers with separate blocks can now choose whether to combine them into one valuation, giving more control for succession planning or diversifying land useClause 22 (replacement of section 59)Replaces automatic combining by the valuer-general with an applicant-led process. The valuer-general must decide within 60 days.
•The valuation framework now better accounts for modern rural land uses like carbon farming, solar farms, and coexisting farming and mining operationsClause 5 (new section 6A)Guidelines can address complex property types including land with multiple coexisting uses.

23/8/2023· Hon S Stewart MPBusiness & EconomyGovernment & ElectionsCommittee: pass

Revenue Legislation Amendment Bill 2023

PassedThis bill became law.

•Regional employers continue to receive a 1% payroll tax discount until 30 June 2030, saving businesses outside south-east Queensland on their payroll tax billsPart 5, Clause 23 (amended section 10A)Extends availability of the regional rate discount to return periods occurring in the financial years ending 30 June 2024 through 2030.
•To qualify for the regional discount, employers must have their principal place of employment in regional Queensland and pay at least 85% of taxable wages to regional employeesPart 5, Clause 23The 1% discount on standard payroll tax rates (4.75% or 4.95%) applies to employers meeting the regional employment threshold.

13/6/2023· Hon C Dick MPHousing & RentingBusiness & Economy

Gas Supply and Other Legislation (Hydrogen Industry Development) Amendment Bill 2023

PassedThis bill became law.

•Regional communities stand to benefit from hydrogen industry investment projected to be worth over $33 billion by 2040, with over 50 projects already underway across QueenslandPart 2Independent modelling for the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan estimates Queensland's renewable hydrogen industry could be worth over $33 billion by 2040.
•Safety is now a mandatory consideration for all pipeline licences, providing stronger protections for communities near pipeline infrastructureClause 19The Minister cannot grant a pipeline licence unless satisfied the applicant can competently and safely manage the pipeline's location, design, construction and operation.
•Pipeline licence holders must give at least 20 business days notice before starting safety studies, allowing regulatory oversight before construction beginsClause 23New section 418 requires notice to the chief inspector before a safety management study starts.

9/5/2023· Hon M de Brenni MPEnvironmentBusiness & EconomyCommittee: pass (dissent)

Liquid Fuel Supply (Minimum Biobased Petrol Content) Amendment Bill 2022

DefeatedThis bill was defeated at the second reading — the main debate on its principles. It cannot proceed further.

•Would have supported sugar cane communities in Sarina, Dalby, Ingham, Pentland, and Ayr by increasing demand for locally produced ethanolClause 4 (new s 35DA)Queensland's ethanol production could increase from 60ML to 216.25ML per annum under the right policy settings, according to the Australian Sugar Milling Council.
•Could have created regional jobs and stimulated local economies through new ethanol production facilities planned for North QueenslandEthanol production projects have been slated for construction at Ingham, Pentland, and Ayr in North Queensland.

13/10/2022· Mr N Dametto MPEnvironmentBusiness & EconomyCommittee: not recommended

Betting Tax and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022

PassedThis bill became law.

•Country thoroughbred race meetings get a guaranteed minimum of $20 million per year from betting tax revenueClause 71Racing Queensland must apply at least the prescribed amount to fund country thoroughbred race meetings held during each financial year.
•Funding for country racing increases automatically by 2% each yearClause 77The Racing Regulation prescribes a 2% annual increase to the minimum country racing funding amount.
•Racing Queensland must publish country thoroughbred race meetings in its racing calendar and report on funding in its annual reportClauses 73-74Ensures transparency about which meetings are classified as country racing and how much funding they receive.

12/10/2022· Hon C Dick MPBusiness & EconomyHealthCommittee: pass

Water Legislation Amendment Bill 2022

Passed (amended)This bill became law after being modified during debate.

•Farmers and irrigators will need to install approved measurement devices and may need telemetry equipment, with costs partly supported by Commonwealth fundingClause 39, s217D-217ECommonwealth funding of $10.2 million (Hydrometric Networks) and $12.5 million (MDB Communities Investment Package) supports implementation.
•Overland flow water users must prepare measurement plans showing how they calculate total water take from diversion channels and on-farm storagesClause 39, s217FMeasurement plans required where take is complex, using storage level devices and calculation tools as part of a measurement system.
•Water authorities like Gladstone Area Water Board and Mount Isa Water Board get stronger governance with longer board terms and ministerial suspension powersClauses 19-20Board terms extended from 3 to 4 years. Minister can suspend a category 1 water authority director for up to 60 days for misconduct.

12/10/2022· Hon G Butcher MPEnvironmentGovernment & ElectionsCommittee: pass

Animal Care and Protection Amendment Bill 2022

PassedThis bill became law.

•Cattle producers in remote areas gain cheaper, faster access to spaying and pregnancy testing through accredited non-vet operatorsClause 22, Chapter 4ACreates approved cattle procedures accreditation schemes allowing lay persons to perform Willis dropped-ovary spaying and pregnancy testing.
•Dogs used for mustering livestock are exempt from the new vehicle tray restraint rulesClause 13, s 33(3)Subsection (3) exempts dogs being transported to assist in the movement of livestock from the requirement to be secured on a vehicle tray.
•Inspectors can now enter properties to help animals suffering from extreme weather or aggressive animals when the owner is absentClause 28, s 123Extends limited entry powers to cover animals exposed to extreme weather conditions or at risk from aggressive animals.

12/5/2022· Hon M Furner MPEnvironmentJustice & RightsCommittee: pass

Land and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022

Passed (amended)This bill became law after being modified during debate.

•Pastoral leaseholders may receive proactive offers from the government to convert their lease to freehold, without needing to apply firstClause 22 (new s 165B)The chief executive can evaluate lease land and offer conversion to freehold or perpetual lease where it is the most appropriate tenure.
•Local governments can keep stock route permit fees and fines to reinvest in managing the stock route network in their areaClause 67 (new ss 187A, 187B)Revenue from application fees, permit fees, water facility agreements and fines must be used for administration, maintenance or improvement of the stock route network.
•Graziers experiencing financial hardship can have stock route permit application fees waivedClauses 63-65The issuing entity may waive payment of the application fee if satisfied the applicant is experiencing financial hardship.
•Notices about land sales and place name changes can now be published online where local newspapers have ceased printingClauses 12, 30, 52-53Replaces prescriptive newspaper requirements with publishing in ways reasonably likely to reach the public, including online.

17/3/2022· Hon S Stewart MPEnvironmentBusiness & EconomyCommittee: pass

Nature Conservation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022

PassedThis bill became law.

•Regional beekeepers who rely on national park sites for honey production and pollination services can continue operating for another 20 yearsClause 25 (new section 36A)Extension applies to areas where beekeeping was lawful before land was dedicated as national park, including former State forests transferred under the South East Queensland Forest Agreement.
•First Nations groups with native title over affected national parks were consulted, with one group requesting consent be sought before apiary permits are granted on their countryClause 25Targeted consultation occurred with multiple First Nations groups holding native title claims or determinations over national parks with apiary sites.

24/2/2022· Hon M Scanlon MPEnvironmentBusiness & EconomyCommittee: pass

Liquor (Artisan Liquor) Amendment Bill 2020

PassedThis bill became law.

•Craft brewers and distillers can sell samples and takeaway products at farmers markets and regional festivals across QueenslandClauses 8–10 (ss 73, 74A, 74B)Expands promotional event framework to allow sale of craft beer and artisan spirits at events with written consent from organisers.
•Queensland artisan producers can sell each other's products in their taprooms, supporting local craft networksClause 13 (new ss 75D(1)(a), 75F(1)(a))Licensees can sell craft beer and artisan spirits produced by other Queensland artisan producer licensees or producer/wholesaler licensees.
•The industry employed over 1,800 people across Queensland before COVID-19, and the new licence aims to support recovery and growth in regional areasExplanatory Notes, Policy objectives

26/11/2020· Hon S Fentiman MPBusiness & EconomyCommittee: pass

56th Parliament (2017–2020)19 bills

Environmental Protection and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2020

Passed (amended)This bill became law after being modified during debate.

•Regional communities near mining operations will have access to independent public reports on how rehabilitation is progressing in their areaClause 81 (section 444K and 444O)The Rehabilitation Commissioner must publish all advice, reports and guidance on a Queensland Government website and provide annual reports on rehabilitation performance and trends.
•Traditional Owners will have a greater role in mine site rehabilitation, with the Rehabilitation Commissioner required to recognise their unique interests and connection to countryClause 81 (section 444I)The Commissioner's functions include consulting on rehabilitation matters with consideration of Traditional Owners' priorities for valued species, spiritual significance of land formations, and potential economic opportunities.

18/6/2020· Hon Enoch MPEnvironmentBusiness & EconomyCommittee: pass (dissent)

Forest Wind Farm Development Bill 2020

Passed (amended)This bill became law after being modified during debate.

•Up to 440 construction jobs and 50 ongoing jobs are expected in the Wide Bay-Burnett region from the wind farm developmentWith a multi-billion-dollar capital cost, the project is anticipated to yield significant economic benefits for Queensland.
•The wind farm must coexist with HQPlantations' 99-year plantation licence, so timber production can continue alongside renewable energy generationClause 56The giving of an access licence or project lease does not affect a right, obligation or interest of the plantation licensee under the plantation licence.

20/5/2020· Hon K Jones MPEnvironmentBusiness & EconomyCommittee: pass (dissent)

Agriculture and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2019

Passed (amended)This bill became law after being modified during debate.

•Farmers gain stronger legal protections from trespassers, with penalties doubled to 20 penalty units or 12 months' imprisonmentClause 133Replaces section 13 of the Summary Offences Act 2005 to broaden and increase penalties for unlawful entry to farming and agricultural land.
•Farmers with debt can access mediation even if the mortgaged farm property is held in a different nameClause 85Amends section 8 of the Farm Business Debt Mediation Act 2017 to omit the requirement for the farmer to own the farm property.
•Goat farmers must now tag all goats with NLIS identification devices before movement, closing a loophole for rangeland goatsClause 33Omits the exemption from approved device requirements for goats moving from the wild to sorting places and then to meat processing facilities.
•Wild stock and abandoned vehicles in State forests can be removed faster, with muster notification reduced to five business daysClause 114Reduces the pre-muster notification period and requires notice only to neighbouring landholders and believed owners.

22/8/2019· Hon M Furner MPEnvironmentJustice & RightsCommittee: pass

Revenue and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2019

PassedThis bill became law.

•Regional employers get a 1% payroll tax discount for four years if 85% of wages go to regional workersClause 33 (new section 10A)Employers with a registered business address in regional Queensland (Cairns, Central Queensland, Darling Downs Maranoa, Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday, Queensland Outback, Townsville, Wide Bay) and paying 85% of wages to regional employees receive a 1% discount.
•A regional employer paying wages under $6.5 million pays payroll tax at 3.75% instead of 4.75%Clause 33 (new section 10A)The 1% discount applies to either the general rate (4.75%) or the increased rate (4.95%), giving regional employers rates of 3.75% or 3.95%.

11/6/2019· Hon J TradBusiness & EconomyCost of LivingGovernment & Elections

Criminal Code (Trespass Offences) Amendment Bill 2019

Lapsed

•Farmers would have gained stronger protections against activist incursions onto agricultural landClause 5, section 422The bill was consulted on with Queensland Farmers' Federation and AgForce Queensland.
•Mining operators would have had additional legal recourse against trespassers on mine sites and transport infrastructureClause 5, sections 422–423Covers premises, private land and transport infrastructure used for business purposes.

1/5/2019· Mr D Last MPJustice & RightsBusiness & EconomyCommittee: not recommended

Health and Wellbeing Queensland Bill 2019

Passed (amended)This bill became law after being modified during debate.

•The agency will use place-based approaches to target health programs where they are needed most, including remote communities where chronic disease death rates are 33% higherClause 10HWQ will use an evidence and place-based approach to target investments and effort in locations according to local need.
•People in remote and very remote Queensland have obesity rates up to 39% higher than those in major cities, which HWQ is specifically designed to addressClause 10(b)HWQ's objective includes reducing health inequity by addressing social and environmental determinants that impact capacity for healthy choices based on geographic location.

28/2/2019· Hon S Miles MPHealthFirst NationsCommittee: pass

Environmental Protection (Great Barrier Reef Protection Measures) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2019

PassedThis bill became law.

•Around 13,000 farmers and graziers across all six Reef catchment regions must now meet minimum practice standards, up from 3,300Clause 8, Section 79Agricultural ERAs now cover cattle grazing, horticulture, sugarcane, grains and other crops across all Great Barrier Reef catchments.
•Farmers already following best management practice programs can use their accreditation to meet regulatory requirementsClause 10, Part 5AProducers accredited under a recognised BMP program are deemed to meet the agricultural ERA standard.
•Newly regulated producers in Cape York, Fitzroy and Burnett Mary regions get a one-year transition to obtain required chemical qualificationsClause 6, Section 40A transitional provision allows one year for newly regulated producers to obtain prescribed qualifications for chemical usage.

27/2/2019· Hon L Enoch MPEnvironmentBusiness & EconomyCommittee: pass (dissent)

Mineral Resources (Galilee Basin) Amendment Bill 2018

Lapsed

•Central Queensland communities near proposed Galilee Basin mines would not have seen the jobs and economic activity from large-scale coal projectsClause 3Projects including Alpha, China Stone, Galilee Coal, Alpha North and Kevin's Corner mines would have been prevented from proceeding.
•Existing Adani mining leases in the Galilee Basin would have been immediately terminated with no compensationClause 4, s 334ZJM(2) and (4)The only existing mining leases in the Galilee Basin were held by companies in the Adani Group, granted in April 2016.

31/10/2018· Mr M Berkman MPEnvironmentBusiness & EconomyCommittee: not recommended

Fisheries (Sustainable Fisheries Strategy) Amendment Bill 2018

PassedThis bill became law.

•Fisheries management becomes more responsive to regional conditions through harvest strategies tailored to each fisheryClause 31, Part 2 Division 1Each fishery gets its own harvest strategy with ecological, economic and social objectives, performance targets, and pre-agreed management responses.
•Traditional fishing by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is formally recognised in the Act's objectivesClause 27, Section 3(2) and Clause 28, Section 3AThe Act now formally acknowledges the importance of fisheries resources to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and includes indigenous fishing as a managed sector.
•Commercial fishers affected by natural disasters can get temporary access to alternative fishing areas through authorising declarationsClause 33, Section 39Authorising declarations allow fishers to temporarily access fisheries resources outside their normal area of operation when an unforeseeable event prevents access to their entitlement.

4/9/2018· Hon M Furner MPEnvironmentBusiness & EconomyCommittee: pass

Revenue Legislation Amendment Bill 2018

PassedThis bill became law.

•Farmers and primary producers benefit from a modernised land tax exemption that better reflects contemporary farming activities like animal husbandry, crop cultivation, and forestry (Part 4, Clause 13; Part 5, Clause 18)

12/6/2018· Hon J Trad MPHousing & RentingCost of LivingBusiness & EconomyGovernment & Elections

Liquor (Rural Hotels Concession) Amendment Bill 2018

Passed (amended)This bill became law after being modified during debate.

•Pubs in very remote communities get a 90% cut to their liquor licence fees, helping them stay open as vital social hubsClause 3 (new s 202A)The licence fee for commercial hotel premises in very remote Australia is assessed at 10% of the fee that would otherwise apply.
•Around 110 hotel licences across remote Queensland qualify for the concessional rateThe explanatory notes estimate approximately 110 commercial licences in areas classified as very remote Australia.
•Remote community residents are more likely to keep their local pub, which often serves as the only gathering place for social interaction and community activitiesClause 3 (new s 202A)

2/5/2018· Mr R Katter MPBusiness & EconomyCommittee: pass

Safer Waterways Bill 2018

DefeatedThis bill was defeated at the second reading — the main debate on its principles. It cannot proceed further.

•The authority would have been headquartered in Cairns with all staff living locally, not fly-in fly-outClause 6The business premises of the authority must be located in Cairns and the director and staff must reside in Cairns.
•North Queensland landholders could have earned income from crocodile egg harvesting and paid hunting on their propertyClause 11(1)(h)Landholders may allow other persons to kill crocodiles on their land for payment of a fee, or harvest crocodile eggs on their land.
•The board would have included at least two members living in or north of Mackay with wildlife conservation and recreational waterway experienceClause 15(1)(c)-(d)At least one member must reside in or north of Mackay with wildlife conservation experience, and at least one with community recreational waterway interests.
•A new crocodile industry based on egg harvesting and farming could have created jobs in regional QueenslandClause 11(1)(b)-(d)The director would authorise persons to farm crocodiles and decide the number of eggs that may be harvested each year.

21/3/2018· Mr S Knuth MPSafety & EmergencyEnvironmentCommittee: not recommended

Vegetation Management (Clearing for Relevant Purposes) Amendment Bill 2018

DefeatedThis bill was defeated at the second reading — the main debate on its principles. It cannot proceed further.

•Graziers would have gained the right to clear land for feed cultivation, helping improve the productivity of pastoral operationsClause 4Currently grazing is not considered a relevant purpose for high value agriculture clearing, limiting graziers' ability to establish sources of feed.
•Landholders whose clearing applications are rejected would have gained a formal right to appeal the decisionClause 3Requires the chief executive to issue an information notice when rejecting an application under section 22A, enabling internal review under section 63 of the Act.

21/3/2018· Mr R Katter MPEnvironmentCommittee: not recommended

Vegetation Management and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2018

Passed (amended)This bill became law after being modified during debate.

•Farmers can no longer apply to clear remnant vegetation for high value agriculture or irrigated high value agriculture, ending broadscale clearing approvalsClause 16(6); Clause 18Omits high value agriculture clearing and irrigated high value agriculture clearing as relevant purposes under the Vegetation Management Act 1999.
•The Mulga Lands Fodder Area Management Plan is revoked, though landholders can still harvest fodder under the accepted development vegetation clearing codeClause 37, s 139The 'Managing fodder harvesting Mulga Lands Fodder Area Management Plan' is revoked effective 8 March 2018; clearing notifications under the plan cease to have effect.
•Landholders in the Burnett-Mary, Eastern Cape York and Fitzroy regions face new restrictions on clearing regrowth near watercoursesClause 37, s 133Regrowth vegetation within 50 metres of watercourses in these three additional Great Barrier Reef catchments becomes regulated as Category R areas.

8/3/2018· Hon A Lynham MPEnvironmentBusiness & EconomyCommittee: pass

Education (Overseas Students) Bill 2018

PassedThis bill became law.

•Shops in regional towns like Mt Isa, Roma, Longreach and Charters Towers can open on Easter Saturday again after an accidental banClause 149A provision permitting Easter Saturday trading was inadvertently omitted during the 2017 trading hours overhaul.
•Around 20 regional towns are affected, restoring shopping access over the Easter long weekendClause 149Affected areas include Mt Isa, Goondiwindi, Chinchilla, Kingaroy, Roma, Childers, Blackwater, Bowen, Ayr, Charters Towers, Proserpine, Mission Beach, Cloncurry, Weipa, Nanango, Oakey, Home Hill, Pittsworth, Charleville and Longreach.

15/2/2018· Hon G Grace MPEducationBusiness & EconomyCommittee: pass

Mineral and Energy Resources (Financial Provisioning) Bill 2018

Passed (amended)This bill became law after being modified during debate.

•Communities near mine sites must be consulted during development of rehabilitation plans, and major changes to post-mining land uses must be publicly notifiedClause 104 (new s 126C)PRC plans must outline previous and ongoing consultation with the community including regional communities, landowners, and Indigenous communities.
•PRC plans and rehabilitation progress are kept on public registers so regional communities can track what is happening at nearby mine sitesClause 201 (amended s 540)Registers must be kept for PRC plans, audit reports, ERC decisions, and financial assurance decisions.

15/2/2018· Hon J Trad MPEnvironmentBusiness & EconomyCommittee: pass

Hospital Foundations Bill 2018

Passed (amended)This bill became law after being modified during debate.

•Regional hospital foundations like those in Bundaberg, Mackay, Toowoomba, and Townsville continue under modernised governance, supporting local health servicesClause 86All 13 existing foundations continue in existence under the new Act, including multiple regional foundations.
•Regional hemp growers can now grow for the food market, with reduced licensing requirements compared to the previous regimeClauses 98, 100-102The licensing threshold for growers is reduced, shifting from 'suitability' to 'fit and proper person' tests with less prescriptive criteria.

15/2/2018· Hon S Miles MPHealthBusiness & EconomyCommittee: pass

Electricity and Other Legislation (Batteries and Premium Feed-in Tariff) Amendment Bill 2018

Passed (amended)This bill became law after being modified during debate.

•Regional Queensland households and small businesses can switch back to Ergon Retail, giving them more choice over their electricity provider (Clause 13)
•The non-reversion policy stays in place for large regional customers, where it has been effective at encouraging retail competition (Clause 13)

15/2/2018· Hon A Lynham MPCost of LivingEnvironmentCommittee: pass (dissent)

Nature Conservation (Special Wildlife Reserves) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2018

Passed (amended)This bill became law after being modified during debate.

•Rural and regional landholders with outstanding conservation land can gain national park-level protection without giving up ownershipClause 12 (new Division 3B)Special wildlife reserves apply to freehold land, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land, leasehold land and reserves under the Land Act 1994.
•Pastoral leaseholders with a special wildlife reserve or nature refuge are no longer required to maintain pastures or prevent woody vegetation encroachmentClause 53 (s 199)Exempts leaseholders of special wildlife reserves and nature refuges from duty of care requirements for pasture maintenance and woody vegetation control.
•The state may provide financial assistance, technical advice and on-ground support to landholders managing special wildlife reservesClause 12 (new s 43C(2))Conservation agreements may include terms requiring the state to provide financial or other assistance and technical advice.

15/2/2018· Hon L Enoch MPEnvironmentCommittee: pass

55th Parliament (2015–2017)37 bills

Vegetation Management (Clearing for Relevant Purposes) Amendment Bill 2017

Lapsed

•Graziers in rural Queensland would have been able to apply to clear land to grow feed and improve farm productivityClause 4Allows grazing to be treated as a relevant purpose for high value agriculture clearing, helping graziers establish feed sources.
•Rural landholders would have gained a formal pathway to seek review of a refused clearing applicationClause 3Section 63(1) provides an internal review right where an information notice is given, which this bill would extend to section 22A rejections.
•The change did not take effect because the bill lapsed when the 55th Parliament ended

26/10/2017· Mr S Knuth MPEnvironment

Mineral and Energy Resources (Financial Provisioning) Bill 2017

Lapsed

•Queensland's mining industry, a major employer in regional areas, gets a more sustainable cost structure that the government says strengthens its social licencePolicy objectivesThe bill aims to address growing community concerns about the quantity and quality of rehabilitation in mining regions while protecting the industry's long-term sustainability.
•Communities in mining regions gain clearer, publicly registered rehabilitation plans showing what their land will look like after mining endsClauses 124, 199Approved PRC plans and PRCP schedules are kept on public registers, showing maps of post-mining land uses, non-use management areas and rehabilitation milestones for each site.
•Regional residents can make submissions when a mine proposes major changes to its rehabilitation outcomesClauses 114-115, 142Major amendments to a PRCP schedule, including changes to post-mining land uses or non-use management areas, must be publicly notified and open to submissions.

25/10/2017· Hon C Pitt MPEnvironmentBusiness & Economy

Hospital Foundations Bill 2017

Lapsed

•Regional hospital foundations in places like Bundaberg, Mackay, Townsville, Toowoomba and the Sunshine Coast continue their fundraising work under the modernised lawThe bill continues all 13 existing hospital foundations, most of which serve regional Queensland communities.
•Industrial hemp becomes a new crop option for Queensland farmers, with local demand from the new hemp food industryClauses 98, 135Allows industrial cannabis to be grown for hemp seed foods, with planting seed limited to varieties under 0.5% THC.

22/8/2017· Hon CR Dick MPHealthBusiness & EconomyCommittee: pass

Mineral, Water and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2017

Lapsed

•Farmers with mining or gas on their land get a clearer path to arbitration instead of going to the Land CourtClause 45 (new sections 91A-91F)
•Landholders will now get 9 to 15 months notice before a mining claim or lease renewal, giving more time to negotiate compensationClauses 81 and 117Requires renewal applicants to notify each landowner of the application within five business days, providing a 9-15 month negotiation window.
•Farmers in irrigation areas may get temporary access to more water when strategic reserves aren't being usedClause 237 (new section 40A)
•Small bore repairs near the surface (less than 1.2 metres deep) no longer need a licensed water bore drillerClause 266Amends section 816 of the Water Act 2000 to permit basic casing repairs above 1.2 metres without a water bore drillers licence.

22/8/2017· Hon Dr A Lynham MPEnvironmentBusiness & EconomyFirst Nations

Safer Waterways Bill 2017

Lapsed

•The Authority's head office and all staff would have been based in Cairns, creating jobs in North QueenslandClause 6The business premises of the authority must be located in Cairns and the director and staff must reside in Cairns.
•North Queensland landholders could earn money from crocodile eggs or by charging hunters to shoot crocodiles on their landClause 11(1)(h), Clause 27(2)(g)The director may authorise the owner of indigenous land, State leasehold land or other non-State land to kill crocodiles, allow others to kill crocodiles for payment, or harvest crocodile eggs.
•At least two board members would have to live in or north of Mackay, giving North Queensland a direct voiceClause 15(1)(c) and (d)The board must include at least one conservation member and one community recreation member who reside in the State in, or north of, Mackay.
•Only Australian-owned businesses could get new crocodile farming licencesClause 27(2)(j)Authorities to farm crocodiles issued after commencement must be issued only to Australian entities (Australian citizens, permanent residents, or Australian-owned corporations or trusts).

25/5/2017· Mr S Knuth MPSafety & EmergencyEnvironment

Labour Hire Licensing Bill 2017

Passed (amended)This bill became law after being modified during debate.

•Fruit pickers, farmhands and other regional workers supplied by labour hire contractors get new protections against exploitationClause 7Examples of providers include a contractor who supplies workers to a farmer or fruit grower to pick produce.
•Farms, meatworks and other regional hosts must check that any labour hire contractor they use is licensed before hiring workers through themClause 11
•Details about where labour hire workers are accommodated in regional Queensland, and whether they pay for it, must be reported to the regulatorClause 31(2)(h)-(i)Licensees must report the address of accommodation provided to workers, whether workers paid a fee, and the number of workers that used the accommodation.

25/5/2017· Hon G Grace MPWork & EmploymentJustice & Rights

Land Access Ombudsman Bill 2017

PassedThis bill became law.

•Rural landholders get a free service to resolve land access disputes without having to pay for court or arbitrationClause 34Parties are able to access the land access ombudsman's no-cost dispute resolution services without complying with any dispute resolution clauses and risking civil liability for breach of their agreement.
•The Land Court can now hear disputes about breaches of conduct and compensation agreements, instead of the District or Supreme CourtClause 75A party may apply to the Land Court for an order about the alleged breach, during the term or after the end of the agreement.
•Farmers and graziers who already have an agreement in place can still use the ombudsman, even for disputes that arose before the law startedClause 67A land access dispute referral may be made and dealt with even if the agreement was entered into, or the dispute arose, before commencement.

23/5/2017· Hon Dr A Lynham MPEnvironmentBusiness & EconomyCommittee: pass (dissent)

Gasfields Commission and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2017

PassedThis bill became law.

•Rural landholders near coal seam gas operations lose the commission's formal role in convening parties to resolve individual disputesClause 19Section 7(g) is omitted to allow the commission to focus on facilitating better relationships between gas companies and landholders at a strategic level.
•Communities in gas-producing regions get new commission-supported information and engagement on health and wellbeing concerns from onshore gas activitiesClause 19 (new sections 7(ia) and 7(ib))New functions for facilitating the provision of information and community participation in health and well-being matters relating to onshore gas activities.
•Local voices on the Gasfields Community Leaders Council will now be convened by the commission's chief executive officer instead of the chairpersonClause 26Amends section 29 to make it a responsibility of the chief executive officer to convene and chair the Gasfields Community Leaders Council meetings.

10/5/2017· Hon Dr A Lynham MPEnvironmentBusiness & EconomyCommittee: pass

Liquor (Rural Hotels Concession) Amendment Bill 2017

Lapsed

•Pubs in very remote Queensland towns would have paid 90% less in licence fees to help keep them open as community meeting placesClause 3 (new s 202A)Licence fee assessed at 10% of the fee that would be payable if the premises were not in very remote Australia.
•About 110 remote commercial hotels across Queensland would have qualified for the discountExplanatory notes state approximately 110 commercial licences exist in Queensland captured by the very remote Australia classification.
•The bill lapsed at the end of parliament and the concession was never introducedBill status: Lapsed.

23/3/2017· Mr R Katter MPBusiness & EconomyCost of LivingCommittee: pass

Sugar Industry (Application of Transitional Provision) Amendment Bill 2017

Withdrawn

•Burdekin cane growers supplying Wilmar Sugar would have had another year of contract certaintyClause 3 (new s 299)Allowed existing cane supply contracts to continue until they ended contractually or 1 July 2018, whichever came first.
•Would not have changed anything for growers at other mills who had already settled their contractsThe explanatory notes state the amendment does not affect other refineries or growers who have already settled their individual contracts.
•The bill was withdrawn, so the original 1 July 2017 deadline stayed in place for Burdekin growers

2/3/2017· Mr S Dickson MPBusiness & Economy

Trading (Allowable Hours) Amendment Bill 2017

Passed (amended)This bill became law after being modified during debate.

•Regional towns that currently don't trade on Sundays or public holidays stay closed unless their area applies to the QIRC and the order is approved by regulationClause 31 (new section 58)The opt-in process requires an application and order by the QIRC. However that order does not take effect until it is approved by a regulation.
•Shops in the Mossman and Port Douglas Tourist Area have no trading hours restrictions for five yearsClause 31 (new section 56)
•Tourist areas (including the Gold Coast, Cairns, Townsville, Whitsundays and Port Douglas) get longer core trading hours - weekdays from 6am to 10pmClause 7 (new section 16D)
•Local councils can now apply to the QIRC, seek injunctions, and be heard in trading hours cases affecting their areaClauses 15, 18, 20, 22, 23

1/3/2017· Hon G Grace MPBusiness & EconomyWork & EmploymentCommittee: pass (dissent)

Sugar Industry (Arbitration for Mill Owners and Sugar Marketing Entities) Amendment Bill 2017

3rd reading failed

•Cane growers would have gained a guaranteed right to nominate who markets their share of sugarClause 10 (new section 36)The grower nominates the GEI sugar marketing entity and the mill owner must negotiate an on-supply agreement with that entity.
•Contracts would be more likely to be settled before crushing season began in regions like the Burdekin, Herbert and MackayPolicy objective states amendments ensure contracts are negotiated and finalised well before the start of each crushing/milling season.
•Growers could take part in their own on-supply agreement if the mill and marketer both agreedClause 10 (new section 38(2))
•The bill failed at third reading, so these protections for cane-growing communities did not become lawBill status is '3rd reading failed'.

28/2/2017· Mr T Nicholls MPBusiness & Economy

Water Legislation (Dam Safety) Amendment Bill 2016

Passed (amended)This bill became law after being modified during debate.

•Around 100 small rural dam owners flagged as potentially risky can accept a government notice instead of paying $15,000-$30,000 for their own engineering assessmentClause 8 (s 342A)The chief executive may give a referable dam notice stating a reasonable belief the dam would have a category 1 or 2 failure impact rating, which the owner can accept rather than commissioning a failure impact assessment.
•If you own a farm dam and disagree with a referable dam notice, you can still commission your own failure impact assessment, and the government pays if the dam turns out not to be referableClause 12 (s 348)The chief executive must pay the reasonable cost where a failure impact assessment shows the dam has neither a category 1 nor category 2 failure impact rating.
•Communities in the 35 local government areas with referable dams gain a formal role for their council in reviewing dam emergency plansClause 18 (s 352HA)Dam owners must give a copy of the emergency action plan to each affected local government and district group before submitting it to the chief executive.

30/11/2016· Hon M Bailey MPSafety & EmergencyEnvironmentCommittee: pass (dissent)

Strong and Sustainable Resource Communities Bill 2016

Passed (amended)This bill became law after being modified during debate.

•Your council must be consulted when a large mining or gas project prepares its social impact assessmentClause 9(5)The owner or proponent must consult with the local government for the local government area in which the large resource project is situated.
•Regional towns of 200+ people within 100 km of a large resource project are now explicitly protected from losing job opportunities to 100% FIFO rostersClause 6 and Schedule 1Nearby regional community means a town with a population of more than 200 people within a 100km radius of the project entrance.
•The Coordinator-General must publish a list of each protected regional community and the large resource project they're linked to, so locals and recruiters know the rules applyClause 13
•Existing large projects approved since 30 June 2009 are covered by the anti-discrimination rules, so the reforms reach projects already operating in regional QueenslandClause 8 and Clause 19 (new s131C)

8/11/2016· Hon Dr A Lynham MPWork & EmploymentEnvironmentCommittee: pass (dissent)

Stock Route Network Management Bill 2016

Lapsed

•Drovers and graziers deal with one local council instead of multiple state and council agencies when moving or feeding stock on the networkChapter 4Consolidates travel, grazing and harvesting approvals previously spread across the Stock Route Management Act, Land Act and transport Acts into a single council-issued approval system.
•Rural councils keep 100% of fees and fines they collect from stock routes and must spend that network money on maintaining watering points, yards and routes in their areaClause 126Where the funds have been derived from the network, the local government must use the funds for the administration, maintenance or improvement of the network and stock facilities.
•Graziers next to secondary stock routes can get long-term grazing approvals for up to 5 years, giving more certainty for farm planningClause 40Long-term grazing approvals can be issued for no more than 5 years over secondary stock routes or reserves.
•Landholders beside a stock route must keep a stock-proof fence, and if they don't an authorised officer can build or repair it and charge the cost back as a debt on the propertyClauses 60, 77The owner of the private land must maintain the fence in a stock-proof condition, with a maximum penalty of 400 penalty units, and unpaid fencing costs become a charge on the land as overdue rates.

3/11/2016· Hon Dr A Lynham MPEnvironmentFirst NationsCommittee: not recommended

Sustainable Queensland Dairy Production (Fair Milk Price Logos) Bill 2016

DefeatedThis bill was defeated at the second reading — the main debate on its principles. It cannot proceed further.

•The bill aimed to slow the decline of Queensland dairy farming, where farmer numbers had dropped from about 1,545 in 2000 to around 430 by 2016Explanatory Notes - Reasons for Policy ObjectivesAbout 1,115 Queensland dairy farmers have exited the industry since 2000, with an average of 70 leaving each year.
•Separate logos for Central, North and South East Queensland dairy regions would let shoppers support farmers in their own regionClause 4 and Schedule 1A logo for each Queensland dairy region identifies the region in which the milk was produced.
•The bill flagged that without intervention fresh milk production in Queensland could end by 2028, risking over 3,000 regional jobsExplanatory Notes - Potential Impacts of InactionMore than 3,000 Queensland jobs would be put at risk and the economic loss would amount to approximately $700 million in retail sales.
•The bill was defeated at second reading, so no region-specific logo or fair price was ever establishedStatus: 2nd reading failed.

13/10/2016· Mr S Knuth MPBusiness & EconomyCost of LivingCommittee: not recommended

Water (Local Management Arrangements) Amendment Bill 2016

Passed (amended)This bill became law after being modified during debate.

•If you farm in the Emerald, Eton, St George or Theodore irrigation areas, your water supplier could change from SunWater to a new entity owned by irrigators like youSection 720The bill declares the Emerald, Eton, St George and Theodore channel schemes as 'declared channel schemes' eligible for transfer.
•Four more regional schemes (Bundaberg, Burdekin-Haughton, Lower Mary and Mareeba-Dimbulah) could be added later by regulation after further investigationSection 720(1)(e)
•Regional irrigators get the chance to own and run their own scheme, potentially as a cooperative in the case of EtonSection 738OSection 738O modifies the Cooperatives Act 1997 to allow a faster transition of irrigation entities into cooperatives.
•The Queensland Government is putting $8.9 million in total (including $6.9 million in the 2016-17 Budget) towards the transition, with 'separation payments' to keep the new entities financially viable

13/9/2016· Hon M Bailey MPBusiness & EconomyEnvironmentCommittee: pass (dissent)

Environmental Protection (Underground Water Management) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016

Passed (amended)This bill became law after being modified during debate.

•If you own a rural water bore near a mine or gas project, the resource company must reimburse your reasonable hydrogeology, accounting, legal and valuation costs when negotiating a make good agreementClause 35Tenure holder must reimburse the bore owner for any accounting, hydrogeology, legal or valuation costs necessarily and reasonably incurred.
•You get a cooling-off period to terminate a make good agreement without penalty after signingClause 28 (new s 423A)The bore owner may terminate the agreement during the cooling-off period by giving written notice, and the terminated agreement is taken never to have had effect.
•Resource companies must pay the cost of the person who facilitates any alternative dispute resolution, removing a barrier for bore ownersClause 29The resource tenure holder must bear the costs of the person who will facilitate the ADR.
•Communities near transitional mining projects get a public submission and merit appeal opportunity on groundwater impacts before mine dewatering beginsClause 36 (new ss 1250D-1250F)Applications for associated water licences are publicly notified and decisions can be appealed on merit by interested persons.

13/9/2016· Hon Dr S Miles MPEnvironmentGovernment & ElectionsCommittee: pass (dissent)

Farm Business Debt Mediation Bill 2016

Passed (amended)This bill became law after being modified during debate.

•Farmers in financial trouble can force their bank into mediation before losing the farmPart 2, Clause 12A mortgagee must not take enforcement action under a farm mortgage unless the Act does not apply or an exemption certificate is in force, with a maximum penalty of 100 penalty units.
•The rural authority known as QRAA is renamed Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority and takes on a broader advisory and research role for farming and regional communitiesClauses 122-134QRAA is continued as the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority with expanded functions including advising the Minister on the financial performance and sustainability of the rural and regional sector.
•Pest control programs using viruses like calicivirus for rabbits and carp herpesvirus are now clearly covered by Queensland lawClauses 95-98The Biological Control Act 1987 definitions of 'organism' and 'prescribed organism' are amended to include viruses and sub-viral agents.
•Industry groups representing growers can now run their own biosecurity accreditation schemes to certify plants and produceClause 105 (new ch 15, pt 5)The Biosecurity Act 2014 is amended to allow the chief executive to approve industry-led biosecurity accreditation schemes such as BioSecure HACCP.

30/8/2016· Hon L Donaldson MPBusiness & EconomyJustice & Rights

Rural and Regional Adjustment (Development Assistance) Amendment Bill 2016

WithdrawnThis bill was withdrawn from consideration and will not become law.

•Farmers and rural businesses would have had access to a government-backed bank offering tailored loans and debt restructuringClause 7The authority's functions would include directly giving financial assistance and giving other financial assistance to approved applicants.
•The bill was designed around feedback from 13 regional towns from Normanton to St George and Mareeba to BundabergA multi-party Taskforce travelled Queensland and received 109 written submissions and 400 attendees before recommending a Rural and Industries Development Bank.
•The bill was discharged so no new rural bank was created and existing QRAA arrangements remain in place

26/5/2016· Mr R Katter MPBusiness & EconomyCost of LivingCommittee: not recommended

Electoral (Improving Representation) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016

Passed (amended)This bill became law after being modified during debate.

•Regional and remote Queenslanders are the intended beneficiaries of the four new seats, aimed at addressing the vast distances MPs must coverThe electoral district of Mount Isa covers 570,502 square kilometres, which is 32.9% of the entire state of Queensland.
•Electoral boundaries for rural and remote areas will be redrawn to reflect declining populations in some regions and growth in South East QueenslandPopulation density is continuing to increase in South East Queensland while certain areas in rural and remote Queensland continue to experience a decline in their population base.
•The Redistribution Commission must now include expertise in regional and town planning when drawing your electorate's boundariesClause 8

19/4/2016· Mr I Walker MPGovernment & Elections

Vegetation Management (Reinstatement) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016

DefeatedThis bill was defeated at the second reading — the main debate on its principles. It cannot proceed further.

•Rural landholders on freehold and indigenous land lose the ability to clear high-value regrowth vegetation without complying with a self-assessable codeClause 8Extends the definition of 'high value regrowth vegetation' to freehold and indigenous land.
•Farmers can no longer apply to clear native vegetation for high value agriculture or irrigated high value agriculture projectsClauses 4, 5 and 11Removes high value agriculture and irrigated high value agriculture as relevant clearing purposes and makes the related development prohibited.
•If unauthorised clearing happens on your land, you are presumed responsible unless you can show evidence otherwise, and 'honest mistake' is no longer a defenceClause 6 (new s67A and s67B)Reinstates the reverse onus of proof and removes the Criminal Code section 24 mistake of fact defence for vegetation clearing offences.
•Rules apply retrospectively from 17 March 2016, so clearing done after that date in newly regulated areas can trigger a restoration notice and no compensation is payableClauses 2 and 7 (new s131-132)Retrospective commencement and explicit bar on state compensation for effects during the interim period.

17/3/2016· Hon J Trad MPEnvironmentFirst Nations

Electricity and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016

Passed (amended)This bill became law after being modified during debate.

•Government-run stores can now operate outside the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula, potentially bringing supply to other remote communities where commercial operators are not viableClauses 6-7The geographic limit is removed and the name is changed to reflect that it may operate in other communities.
•Ergon Energy's regional electricity network is merging with Energex under one parent company, with no change to day-to-day supplyExplanatory notes, Policy objectivesThe merger is to be implemented on 1 July 2016 with the objective of improving network efficiencies, with operational functions continuing to be undertaken by Energex and Ergon.

15/3/2016· Hon C Pitt MPCost of LivingFirst NationsGovernment & ElectionsCommittee: pass

Mineral and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016

Passed (amended)This bill became law after being modified during debate.

•Farmers get new protections with principal stockyards, dams, bores and artesian wells now counted as 'restricted land' that miners can't enter without written consentClause 7Amends section 68 to include land within 50 metres of an artesian well, bore, dam, water storage facility or principal stockyard as restricted land.
•The Minister can no longer force a mining lease over your land if you haven't agreed to compensationClauses 94 and 9Removes amendments that would have allowed the Minister to grant a mining lease over restricted land where compensation had not been agreed, and omits the provision that removed consent requirements for prescribed activities.
•If a miner enters your property just to mark out a proposed mining boundary, they must give you notice, can't enter restricted land without your consent, and must pay for any damageClause 101 (new s 386V, 386X)Creates a regulatory framework for entry to identify mining boundaries, imposing entry conditions, prohibiting entry to restricted land without consent, and making the person liable to compensate for damage, injury or loss.
•The 200-metre buffer around homes, schools, hospitals and childcare centres, and the 50-metre buffer around farm infrastructure, is now locked into the primary Act rather than changeable by regulationClause 7Enshrines restricted land distances in section 68 of the MERCP Act rather than leaving them to subordinate legislation.

23/2/2016· Hon Dr A Lynham MPEnvironmentJustice & RightsCommittee: pass (dissent)

Mineral Resources (Aurukun Bauxite Resource) Amendment Bill 2016

Passed (amended)This bill became law after being modified during debate.

•Development of the Aurukun bauxite deposit — one of the world's largest undeveloped bauxite resources at over 480 million tonnes — can still proceed but with community consent processesThe government recognises development of the bauxite resources at Aurukun has the potential to deliver very significant economic development and employment opportunities for Aurukun and the wider Western Cape York area.
•Residents and landowners around Aurukun now have the same objection rights to mining projects as other QueenslandersClause 6
•Existing mineral development licence applications, including the current Glencore application, are covered by the new rulesClause 11Transitional provision applies the amended Act to an application for a mineral development licence made before or after commencement.

16/2/2016· Hon A Lynham MPFirst NationsEnvironmentCommittee: pass

Animal Management (Protecting Puppies) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016

PassedThis bill became law.

•Primary producers who breed working dogs for farm use won't have to register as dog breeders, but need an exemption number if they later sell the dog as a petClause 11 (new ss 43E(3)(b), 43ZG)Exempts primary producers who breed a dog from a working dog to use as a working dog or supply to another primary producer, and provides an exemption number pathway if the dog is later supplied for non-working purposes.
•Sugarcane, banana and nursery growers get updated protection — fusarium wilt of banana and sugarcane stem borer are moved to restricted matter category 1Clause 69Adds fusarium wilt of banana (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4) and sugarcane stem borer (Chilo spp.) to restricted matter affecting plants.
•Local councils keep their role inspecting breeders, supported by new information-sharing powers and access to the breeder registerClauses 18, 26 (new ss 173B, 207B)Allows local government officers appointed under the AMCD Act or ACP Act to inspect the breeder register, and allows the chief executive to share information with local government chief executive officers.

16/2/2016· Hon L Donaldson MPJustice & RightsEnvironmentBusiness & EconomyCommittee: pass

Electoral (Improving Representation) and Another Act Amendment Bill 2015

DefeatedThis bill was defeated at the second reading — the main debate on its principles. It cannot proceed further.

•Aimed to give rural and remote areas like Mount Isa better representation by adding four seats to account for vast electorate sizesThe electoral district of Mount Isa covers 570,502 square kilometres in total, that is, 32.9% of the entire state of Queensland.
•Intended to balance growth in South East Queensland against declining populations in rural and remote areas when new electorates were drawnPopulation density is continuing to increase in South East Queensland and certain areas in rural and remote Queensland are experiencing declining populations.
•Did not pass, so no extra regional seats were added under this billBill status: 2nd reading failed.

12/11/2015· Mr Katter MPGovernment & ElectionsCommittee: not recommended

Water Legislation Amendment Bill 2015

Passed (amended)This bill became law after being modified during debate.

•If you live in the Lower Herbert region around Ingham, your local water authority's 2005 formation and every decision, contract and rate since then is confirmed as legally validClause 8 (new section 1282)Validates the formation of the Lower Herbert Water Management Authority on 16 December 2005 from the amalgamation of the Foresthome, Loder Creek, Mandam and Ripple Creek Drainage Boards, and all its actions since.
•Existing river improvement trusts across Queensland, including the Burdekin Shire Rivers Improvement Area, are confirmed as continuing in existence and their members' appointments remain validClause 5 (new section 24)New Part 9 of the River Improvement Trust Act 1940 declares that river improvement areas and trusts continued in existence on and after 19 December 2014, and that ministerial appointments before commencement remain valid.
•Farmers and irrigators keep the protection of needing a water licence to take water, rather than some rivers being opened up as licence-free 'designated watercourses'Clause 15 (item 17)Removes section 101(1)(e) which would have authorised taking or interfering with water from a designated watercourse without a water licence or permit.
•Water resource plans already in place, including the Water Resource (Burnett Basin) Plan 2014, will transition cleanly into the new water planning framework without disrupting existing entitlementsClause 18Amends the transitional provisions so that water resource plans, resource operations plans and their deferred aspects move into the new water plan and operations manual framework under the 2014 reform Act.

10/11/2015· Hon Dr A Lynham MPEnvironmentBusiness & Economy

North Stradbroke Island Protection and Sustainability (Renewal of Mining Leases) Amendment Bill 2015

WithdrawnThis bill was withdrawn from consideration and will not become law.

•Island residents and businesses would have a clearer, earlier transition timeline with mining ending in 2024 and rehabilitation work on the island running to 2029Clauses 3 and 4
•Mining jobs on North Stradbroke Island would wind down sooner, with the Queensland Government's planned Economic Transition Strategy expected to help diversify the local economyThe bill is designed to provide a realistic period to transition NSI towards a sustainable economic future alongside the Economic Transition Strategy.
•Because the bill was discharged, the earlier end date and transition timing did not take effect

27/10/2015· Mr Knuth MPEnvironmentFirst NationsCommittee: not recommended

Nature Conservation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2015

Passed (amended)This bill became law after being modified during debate.

•If you hold a grazing, agriculture or pastoral lease on a protected area, your rolling term lease becomes an ordinary term lease that must be renewed through a full applicationClause 39You will only be able to apply for renewal after 80% of the existing term has expired, rather than any time in the last 20 years of the term.
•A decision to refuse renewal of a grazing lease on conservation grounds cannot be appealedAppeals will not be available in relation to a decision to refuse the renewal of a term lease unless the decision was based on the applicant not fulfilling the conditions of the lease.
•Expired drought-relief grazing permit powers for six named national parks are removed from the booksClause 29Omits section 173S which allowed the chief executive to grant stock grazing permits on six prescribed protected areas for drought relief until 31 December 2013.
•Mining operators get an extra year under existing environmental standards while new ones are consulted onClause 37Defers the expiration of the eligibility criteria by one year to 31 March 2017 to allow adequate consultation on new mining ERA standards.

27/10/2015· Hon Dr S Miles MPEnvironmentFirst NationsCommittee: not recommended

Liquid Fuel Supply (Ethanol and Other Biofuels Mandate) Amendment Bill 2015

Passed (amended)This bill became law after being modified during debate.

•The mandate is designed to grow bio-manufacturing and create jobs in regional QueenslandPolicy objectivesThe objectives include contributing to regional growth and jobs creation.
•Sugar cane growers and producers of tallow, used cooking oil and plant biomass gain a new market for feedstockQueensland's only biodiesel facility at Narangba uses tallow and used cooking oil as its feedstock; Queensland's two ethanol producers use cane-based feedstock.
•Public forums were held in Dalby, Bundaberg, Townsville, Ingham, Ayr, Mackay, Mareeba, Brisbane and Innisfail to shape the mandateAlmost 300 people attended the public forums in Dalby, Bundaberg, Townsville, Ingham, Ayr, Mackay, Mareeba, Brisbane and Innisfail.

15/9/2015· Hon M Bailey MPEnvironmentBusiness & EconomyCommittee: pass

Electoral (Redistribution Commission) and Another Act Amendment Bill 2015

DefeatedThis bill was defeated at the second reading — the main debate on its principles. It cannot proceed further.

•Very large remote electorates (100,000 sq km or more) could have had their size weighting lifted from 2% up to 4%, potentially giving people in these areas smaller-population seatsClause 15The percentage must not be less than 2% or more than 4%, and must be the same for each large electoral district.
•The Commission would have had to consider communities of interest, travel and communication, physical features, and demographic trends when deciding how many seats Queensland needsClause 13New section 41A lists matters the Commission must consider when proposing the appropriate number of electoral districts.
•These regional representation changes did not take effect because the bill failed at second reading

15/7/2015· Mr I Walker MPGovernment & Elections

Agriculture and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2015

PassedThis bill became law.

•Farmers can use drones for agricultural chemical spraying with a clearer licensing pathClauses 6-10Pilot chemical rating and aerial distribution contractor licences are extended to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that hold the matching Commonwealth civil aviation authorisation.
•Rural landowners keep the power to destroy dogs attacking or about to attack their livestock, without having to pay compensationClause 37 (new s 197A)On rural-zoned land, an owner or authorised person who reasonably believes an unattended dog is attacking or about to attack stock may destroy it.
•Government can move faster to stop exotic animal disease spreading in regional areasClauses 76-77Restricted area and standstill zone notices can be made by the chief executive via a website publication, taking effect immediately rather than after subordinate legislation is drafted.
•Stock inspectors no longer have to quarantine every diseased or suspect herd, reducing disruption to small operationsClause 98Section 14 of the Stock Act 1915 changes 'shall' define boundaries and quarantine to 'may', giving inspectors discretion to use lighter-touch measures.

14/7/2015· Hon W Byrne MPEnvironmentBusiness & EconomyCommittee: pass

Sustainable Ports Development Bill 2015

Passed (amended)This bill became law after being modified during debate.

•Regional reef communities and tourism towns get stronger protection from industrial port expansion on their doorstepPart 3Part 3 prohibits new port facilities, capital dredging and sea-based dredge spoil disposal in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area outside the Commonwealth marine park.
•Local councils near priority ports must align their planning schemes with the State's port overlayClause 24Where a local government planning scheme is inconsistent with the port overlay, the overlay prevails to the extent of the inconsistency.
•Residents inside a master planned area keep their existing lawful uses and buildings even if a port overlay startsClauses 36-38A port overlay cannot stop a lawful use of premises, require a lawfully constructed building to be altered, or override an existing development approval.

3/6/2015· Hon A Lynham MPEnvironmentBusiness & EconomyCommittee: pass

Sugar Industry (Real Choice in Marketing) Amendment Bill 2015

Passed (amended)This bill became law after being modified during debate.

•Cane-growing regions get stronger rules balancing grower and mill bargaining power in supply contractsClause 6The Bill safeguards growers in regions commercially reliant on local mills by setting mandatory contract terms and an arbitration pathway.
•The reforms aim to support the long-term sustainability of Queensland's sugar industry in regional communitiesThe Bill is intended to support a robust but fair supply chain relationship contributing to the long term sustainability of the Queensland sugar industry.
•Existing supply contracts in sugar regions keep running under the old rules until they end or are renewedClause 9 (new s 298)New section 33B does not apply to supply contracts in force before commencement until the end of the current contract period.

19/5/2015· Mr S Knuth MPBusiness & EconomyCommittee: not recommended

Liquor and Fair Trading Legislation (Red Tape Reduction) Amendment Bill 2015

DefeatedThis bill was defeated at the second reading — the main debate on its principles. It cannot proceed further.

•Bed and breakfasts can cater for up to eight guests (up from six) without needing a liquor licence, helping small regional tourism operatorsClause 13Amends section 14B so the B&B exemption applies to accommodation catering for up to 8 adult guests at a time.
•Campdrafting events no longer need a community liquor permit, allowing liquor sales for up to 14 hours a day over three consecutive daysClauses 8, 11, 48Defines campdrafting event and exempts it from the community liquor permit requirement on the same terms as small regional shows.
•Regional craft brewers get new access to farmers markets and food festivals, opening up customers beyond the usual bottle shop networkClauses 22, 23The explanatory notes state these changes will benefit craft breweries in regional areas that may not otherwise have access to the regular retail network.

6/5/2015· Mr I Walker MPBusiness & EconomyCost of LivingCommittee: pass (dissent)

Local Government and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2015

PassedThis bill became law.

•Regional councils recovering from floods and cyclones keep working with a permanent state recovery authorityClause 25The QRA works closely with local governments to ensure the effective recovery of Queensland communities.
•Small regional councils may still have their CEO run the local election if no other experienced person is available locallyClause 3This approach ensures every community, including smaller communities, have a returning officer with the necessary capabilities to perform the role.

27/3/2015· Hon J Trad MPGovernment & ElectionsSafety & EmergencyCommittee: pass (dissent)