Media
All change: Government adopts long list of reforms for
corruption watchdog
The former chief justice Catherine Holmes has recommended
sixteen reforms relating the performance of the functions of the
Crime and Corruption Commission. The Queensland government intends
to adopt all sixteen recommendations of the independent review (29
May 2024). More...
Farmers lead class action against Queensland power
generators
Queensland farmers are leading a class action against two
major government-owned power generators, that being CS Energy and
Stanwell. The class action is in relation to Queenslanders who are
purported to have paid inflated electricity prices between 2013 and
2019. The matter currently before the Federal Court and is expected
to last about eight weeks (05 June 2024). More...
$60 million SES budget to enhance local emergency
services
The Miles government has increased support for State
Emergency Services as part of its new budget. $3.8 million has been
allocated for SES equipment and flood boats. More than $20 million
of the $60 million has been allocated to enhance operation
capability and support for frontline volunteers (11 June 2024). More...
Budget brings water security and renewable energy to
Central Queensland
Of the $2.3 million that has been allocated to
infrastructure, $266.3 million is to be invested in major renewable
energy projects throughout the region. In addition, $873 million
has been allocated to Central Queensland Hospital and Health
Services. (11 June 2024).
More...
State Budget will help us build more homes – but
later rather than sooner
The $107 billion that has been dedicated to ensuring
Queensland delivers the biggest decade of infrastructure investment
will place more pressure on an industry already struggling to
deliver. Given the current struggle, there will also be an increase
in the costs of construction due to trade shortages and failing
productivity (11 June 2024). More...
QLD Budget shows why State Government policy settings
must change to protect future investment and jobs
"Six months ago, the Government forecast coal
royalties would reach $9.2 billion this financial year but that
figure has now soared to $10.5 billion. Overall, the resources
sector contributed 14 per cent of all State Government revenue,
which is more than any other industry... The best way for the
Queensland Government to secure a long-term royalties stream that
benefits everyday Queenslanders, is to get the right policy
settings, including a fairer royalty system, that will encourage
investment in new projects, and secure the jobs that come with
it" stated QRC Chief Executive Officer, Janette Hewson (11
June 2024). More...
Amendments introduced to strengthen operation of blue
card laws
New reforms have been introduced to update working with
children laws in order to support the operation of the blue card
system. The introduction of these changes would bring about an end
to kinship carers needing to hold a blue card when caring for kin.
In addition, the Bill expands who is required to hold a blue card
to encompass those who deliver part, entertainment, beauty and
photography services that involve children (14 June 2024). More...
Publications
Labour Force, May 2024
The Queensland Government Statistician's Office has
issued its report on the labour force for Queensland and Australia.
The report outlines monthly trends in employment, labour supply,
the participate rate and the unemployment rate. May saw an increase
to employment in Queensland by 0.4% for the month of May. Read the
results
here.
Population growth, Queensland, December quarter
2023
Queensland has seen an increase of 141,378 to its
population over the 12 months to 31 December 2023. This puts the
population growth rate above the national average, sitting at 2.5%
for the period. Read the results
here.
Queensland's regions 2023
Queensland has the most people who live outside the
greater capital city area of Brisbane. The Queensland Government
will implement a new regional governance model to improve how
entities work together as, previously, regional growth functions
have been shifted between departments at a rate that has caused
constant disruptions which have put strategic initiatives and
project delivery at risk. Read the results here.
Education 2023
The report by the Queensland Audit Office shows that
entities in Queensland's education sector need to improve their
systems and processes, especially when considering the risk of
cyber attacks. In addition, Universities are facing financial
challenges with most continuing to make a loss throughout 2023.
TAFE Queensland is also expected to continue to financially
deteriorate. The departments have also not met their budgeted
capital spend. Read the results here.
State entities 2023
The report makes note of three areas of importance. The
first outlines that the main contributing factor to royalty revenue
was for coal and oil. The second noted that entities are not
managing security risks posed by third-party provider arrangements.
The third area spoke of the culture of the Queensland public
sector. Read the results here.
Responding to and recovering from cyber attacks
As it stands, public sector entities are not as prepared
as they need to be in relation to cyber-attacks. Of note, the
report found that whilst entities rely heavily on third parties to
deal with responses to cyber-attacks, none of these entities had
tested how these third parties would perform in a crisis. Read the
results here.
Practice
Supreme Court of Queensland Practice Direction Number 16
of 2024
The Supreme Court of Queensland has issued a practice
direction in relation to Protected Counselling Communications. Read
more here.
QLS releases Guidance Statement on AI
The Queensland Law Society's guidance statement
outlines the ethical obligations that solicitors need to consider
when using AI in the legal profession Read more here.
AAT Bulletin Issue No. 9/2024 6 May 2024
The AAT Bulletin is a fortnightly publication containing
information about recently published decisions and appeals against
decisions in the AAT's General, Freedom of Information,
National Disability Insurance Scheme, Security, Small Business
Taxation, Taxation & Commercial and Veterans' Appeals
Divisions. Read more here.
AAT Bulletin Issue No. 10/2024 20 May 2024
The AAT Bulletin is a fortnightly publication containing
information about recently published decisions and appeals against
decisions in the AAT's General, Freedom of Information,
National Disability Insurance Scheme, Security, Small Business
Taxation, Taxation & Commercial and Veterans' Appeals
Divisions. Read more here.
AAT Bulletin Issue No. 11/2024 2 June 2024
The AAT Bulletin is a fortnightly publication containing
information about recently published decisions and appeals against
decisions in the AAT's General, Freedom of Information,
National Disability Insurance Scheme, Security, Small Business
Taxation, Taxation & Commercial and Veterans' Appeals
Divisions. Read more here.
Cases
Breakwater Pacific Pty Ltd v Chief Executive,
Department of Resources [2024] QSC 107
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – JUDICIAL REVIEW – REVIEWABLE
DECISION – UNDER AN ENACTMENT – where the applicant
applied to surrender a lease – where the respondent made a
decision refusing the application – where the applicant seeks
judicial review of the decision – whether the decision made
by the respondent was made under an enactment for the purpose of
the Judicial Review Act 1991 (Qld)
Health Ombudsman v Kumar [2024] QCAT
132
PROFESSIONS AND TRADES – HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS –
MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS – DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS –
PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT AND UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT –
GENERALLY – where disciplinary proceedings commenced against
general practitioner – where multiple allegations of
inappropriate conduct – where the respondent is a wholly
deceitful and unreliable witness – professional misconduct
established
Pavlou v Brisbane City Council [2024] QDC
73
HUMAN RIGHTS – whether s 21 of the Human Rights Act 2019
(Qld) applied – whether the Local Law reasonably limited such
rights under s 13 of the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld)
Legislation
Bills introduced
Government
Assisted Reproductive Technology Bill 2024
Criminal Justice Legislation (Sexual Violence and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2024
Electrical Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024
Progressive Coal Royalties Protection (Keep Them in the Bank) Bill 2024
Private member
Crocodile Control and Conservation Bill 2024
Bills passed without amendment
Cheaper Power (Supplementary Appropriation) Act 2024
Bills amended during passage
Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Arrangements Amendment Bill 2024
Corrective Services (Promoting Safety) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024
Manufactured Homes (Residential Parks) Amendment Bill 2024
Police Powers and Responsibilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024
Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024
Acts assented to
Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Arrangements Amendment Act 2024 No. 29 – Assent 6 June 2024
Cheaper Power (Supplementary Appropriation) Act 2024 No. 26 - Assent 6 June 2024
Manufactured Homes (Residential Parks) Amendment Act 2024
Police Powers and Responsibilities and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024 No. 24
Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024 No. 27
Proclamations commencing Acts made
Proclamation – Forensic Science Queensland Act 2024 (commencing remaining provisions)
Proclamation – Emergency Services Reform Amendment Act 2024 (commencing remaining provisions)
Proclamation – Marine Rescue Queensland Act 2024 (commencing remaining provisions)
Proclamation – State Emergency Service Act 2024 (commencing remaining provisions)
Subordinate legislation notified
Petroleum and Gas (General Provisions) (Annual Fee) Amendment Regulation 2024
Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Regulation 2024
Justice Legislation (Allowances and Other Matters) Amendment Regulation 2024
Proclamation – Forensic Science Queensland Act 2024 (commencing remaining provisions)
Criminal Practice (Interpreters) and Other Rules Amendment Rule 2024
Criminal Practice Amendment Rule 2024
Major Events (Motor Racing Events) (Townsville 500) Amendment Regulation 2024
Proclamation – Emergency Services Reform Amendment Act 2024 (commencing remaining provisions)
Proclamation – Marine Rescue Queensland Act 2024 (commencing remaining provisions)
Proclamation – State Emergency Service Act 2024 (commencing remaining provisions)
Transport Legislation (Fees) Amendment Regulation 2024
Subordinate legislation tabled
Fisheries (Structural Reform Stage 2) and Other Legislation Amendment Regulation 2024
Penalties and Sentences (Penalty Unit Value) Amendment Regulation 2024
Subordinate legislation repealed
Marine Parks (Great Sandy) Zoning Plan 2017
Subordinate legislation expired
This publication does not deal with every important topic or change in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you have found this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances please contact one of the named individuals listed.