Submission 92

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Submission 92 3 September 2020 Our ref: HS-WAg National Water Reform 2020 Productivity Commission Locked Bag 2, Collins St East Melbourne VIC 8003, Australia By email: [email protected] Dear Commission, National Water Reform Thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback on the National Water Reform Inquiry. The Queensland Law Society (QLS) appreciates being able to contribute to this important inquiry and is grateful for the additional time allowed to provide this submission. QLS is the peak professional body for the State’s legal practitioners. We represent and promote over 13,000 legal professionals, increase community understanding of the law, help protect the rights of individuals and advise the community about the many benefits solicitors can provide. QLS also assists the public by advising government on improvements to laws affecting Queenslanders and working to improve their access to the law. This response has been compiled by the QLS Water and Agribusiness Committee, whose members are legal practitioner volunteers with substantial expertise in this area. We also enclose Appendix 1, which has been prepared by our committee member Caitlin McConnel and addresses issues related to water policy in the context of broader challenges related to critical human water needs, climate change and national security. QLS commends Ms McConnel’s submission to the Commission for consideration of the issues contained therein. ASSESSING JURISDICTIONAL PROGRESS - INFORMATION REQUEST 1 The Commission welcomes feedback on: whether the signatories to the National Water Initiative (NWI) are achieving the agreed objectives and outcomes of the agreement which elements of the NWI have seen slow progress whether there are cases where jurisdictions have moved away from the actions, outcomes and objectives of the NWI National Water Reform Inquiry any other data and information sources that might be useful for assessing progress. The Issues Paper states that the Commission will assess the progress of all jurisdictions against each of the eight NWI elements and that the Commission’s assessment will primarily focus on changes since the 2017 assessment of progress (2017 Inquiry). Queensland’s progress is considered further below in relation to the following NWI elements: water access entitlement and planning frameworks; water resource accounting; and water markets and trading. Although there remains further work to be done with respect to extractive industries, climate change and Indigenous cultural values, our review indicates that Queensland has continued to improve its delivery of the water planning framework and provide support for the implementation of those plans. Water access entitlement and planning frameworks The 2017 Inquiry recommended the following priorities relevant to Queensland:1 Extractive Industries: State and Territory Governments should ensure that water entitlement and planning arrangements explicitly incorporate extractive industries, including ensuring that entitlements for extractive industries are issued under the same framework that applies to other consumptive users. Climate change: State and Territory Governments should develop a process to regularly assess the impact of climate change on water resources. Where this is considered to have been significant and detrimental, they should ensure that the next water plan review fundamentally reassesses the objectives of the plan and the consequent balance between environmental and consumptive use of water, to ensure it is suited to a drier climate. Indigenous cultural values: State and Territory Governments should ensure that, as water plans reach the end of their planning cycle, review processes are undertaken that allow optimisation of water use and systems across all users, include explicit consideration of Indigenous cultural values, and involve adequate community and stakeholder engagement. Whilst water service delivery was not a key priority for Queensland, the 2017 Inquiry recognised that transfer of existing irrigation distribution networks to local ownership had benefited irrigators in parts of Queensland through improved productivity, accountability, long- term planning and responsiveness to irrigators.2 1 Australian Government Productivity Commission, National Water Reform Productivity Commission Inquiry Report No. 87, 19 December 2017, p 28 <https://www.pc.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/228175/water-reform.pdf>. 2 Ibid 11, 40 Queensland Law Society | Office of the President Page 2 of 33 National Water Reform Inquiry The status of each finding is considered below. Extractive Industries Since the 2017 Inquiry, minimal changes have been implemented by the Queensland Government to ensure extractive industries are issued water entitlements under the same framework applying to other consumptive users. Statutory rights to take or interfere with underground water for extractive industry in Queensland vary depending on whether the take of water is associated water or non-associated water. As noted in the 2017 Inquiry, ‘these rights operate outside of Queensland’s water access entitlements and planning framework’.3 This is undesirable in the view of QLS. Water entitlements should be granted on a transparent basis that is consistent across different types of users. Climate change Since the 2017 Inquiry, the Queensland Government has passed legislation to amend the water planning framework to strengthen climate change considerations by incorporating an explicit requirement for the Minister for Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy (DNRME) to consider the effects of climate change when preparing a water plan or water use plan.4 In committee stage of the amending legislation, the DNRME advised the State Development, Natural Resources and Agricultural Industry Development Committee:5 It is critical that Queenslanders have confidence that climate change and its effect on water resources are considered in water planning. It is important to recognise that when we do this work we are not talking about gazing well off into the future. Water plans have 10-year horizons and a ministerial report on the effectiveness of plans is prepared every five years. Should this amendment be accepted by the parliament, water modelling and the preparation of the plan will consider climate change risks only over the lifetime of the plan. The introduction of climate change requirements into water planning will help to align water planning to the Queensland government’s commitment in 2017 via the Queensland Climate Adaptation Strategy.6 Under the Water Act 2000 (Qld) (Water Act), a water plan expires after 10 years unless it is repealed, or the expiry of the plan is postponed on the basis that the Minister for the DNRME is satisfied the plan is advancing the water plan outcomes.7 Of the 23 water plans in place across Queensland, the following water plans include general outcomes regarding climate change: Water Plan (Border Rivers and Moonie) 2019 (Qld): Includes a general outcome to promote improved understanding of the impact of climate change on water availability. 3 Ibid 88. 4 Explanatory Notes, Mineral, Water and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2018 (Qld) 2-3. 5 State Development, Natural Resources and Agricultural Industry Development Committee, Parliament of Queensland, Inquiry into the Mineral, Water and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2018 (Parliamentary Report No. 4, April 2018) 32. 6 Queensland Parliament, Public Briefing – Inquiry into the Mineral, Water and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2018, Transcript of Proceedings (5 March 2018) <https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/committees/SDNRAIDC/2018/3MinWatOLAB2018/3-trns-ph5Mar2018.pdf>. 7 Water Act 2000 (Qld) s 53(a)-(b), 54(1). Queensland Law Society | Office of the President Page 3 of 33 National Water Reform Inquiry Water Plan (Cape York) 2019 (Qld): Includes a general outcome to promote improved understanding of the impact of climate change on water availability. Water Plan (Condamine and Balonne) 2019 (Qld): Includes a general outcome to promote improved understanding of the impact of climate change on water availability. Water Plan (Cooper Creek) 2011 (Qld): Includes a general outcome to account for modelled impacts of climate change on water availability, including the effects of increased duration of low flow periods and no flow periods, and the effect of increased evaporation rates from waterholes. In recognition of the above, it is unclear how the Queensland Government in the short to medium term will assess the impact of climate change on water resources in circumstances where: a water plan can be extended for a further 10 years under the Water Act; the hydrological modelling underpinning the objectives of first-generation water plans may not incorporate impacts of climate change; and the hydrological modelling underpinning the objectives of second-generation water plans may only contemplate climate change impacts for a period of 10 years – not 20 years. Having regard to the proposed water plan expiry dates in Table 1 below, Queensland’s transition to incorporate the effects of climate change in the water planning framework may not be satisfied until 2031, given the Water Plan (Cooper Creek) 2011 (Qld) is due to expire on 1 September 2031. This longer transition period is a result of the expiry dates of water plans being postponed, which delays the full incorporation of climate change consideration longer than may have been contemplated by the 2017 Inquiry. Table 1. Current and proposed
Recommended publications
  • Abolition of the Upper House Community Engagement – Updated 27 March 2001
    Abolition of the Upper House Community Engagement – Updated 27 March 2001 THE ABOLITION OF THE UPPER HOUSE IN QUEENSLAND INTRODUCTION Unicameral legislatures, or legislatures with only one chamber, are uncommon in democracies. It is usually considered that two chambers are necessary for government, and this is the case for the United Kingdom, Canada (at the Federal level) and the United States (Federally, and for all states except Nebraska.) However, some countries, usually small ones, are unicameral. Israel, Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, Sweden, and Greece have only one chamber. All the Canadian Provinces, all the Malaysian States and some of the Indian ones, including Assam, are unicameral. Other single-chambered legislatures in the Commonwealth include New Zealand, Ghana, Cyprus, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Malta, Malawi, Zambia, Gambia, Guyana, Singapore, Botswana, Zimbabwe and (Western) Samoa. In Australia, the Federal Government has two chambers, as do the governments of all the states, except Queensland. At its separation from New South Wales in 1859, Queensland had two houses of Parliament, the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council. But in a move unique in Australian history, the Legislative Council abolished itself. EARLY DAYS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, 1860-1890 Queensland, separated from New South Wales in 1859, was the only colony to have a Parliament from its inception. When the Parliament of Queensland was first promulgated in 1860, there were two houses of Parliament. The first members of the Upper House, the Legislative Council, were appointed for five years by the Governor of New South Wales, so that Queensland would not be left permanently with nominees from the Governor of another colony.
    [Show full text]
  • Health Legislation Amendment Bill 2019
    Health Legislation Amendment Bill 2019 Report No. 32, 56th Parliament Health, Communities, Disability Services and Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Committee February 2020 Health, Communities, Disability Services and Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Committee Chair Mr Aaron Harper MP, Member for Thuringowa Deputy Chair Mr Mark McArdle MP, Member for Caloundra Members Mr Martin Hunt MP, Member for Nicklin Mr Michael Berkman MP, Member for Maiwar Mr Barry O’Rourke MP, Member for Rockhampton Ms Joan Pease MP, Member for Lytton* Committee Secretariat Telephone +61 7 3553 6626 Fax +61 7 3553 6699 Email [email protected] Technical Scrutiny +61 7 3553 6601 Secretariat Committee Web Page www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Health Acknowledgements The committee acknowledges the assistance provided by Queensland Health. * In accordance with SO 202, Ms Jess Pugh MP, Member for Mount Ommaney, was appointed to the committee for the public hearing and public briefing held on 7 February 2020 as a substitute member for Ms Pease MP who was unable to attend. Health Legislation Amendment Bill 2019 Contents Abbreviations iii Chair’s foreword v Recommendations vi 1 Introduction 1 1.1 Role of the committee 1 1.2 Inquiry process 1 1.3 Policy objectives of the Bill 2 1.4 Consultation on the Bill 3 1.5 Consultation for the conversion therapy provisions 3 1.6 Estimated cost for government implementation 5 1.7 Should the Bill be passed? 5 2 Examination of the Bill 6 2.1 Strengthening commitment to health equity for Aboriginal people and Torres Strait
    [Show full text]
  • Parliamentary Chronicles
    PARLIAMENTARY CHRONICLES ‘FROM THE TABLES’ A round-up of administrative and procedural developments in the Australasian Parliaments — October 2010 to March 2011 Robyn Smith* The Australian Parliament The hung parliament following the August 2010 federal election resulted in yet more ‘parliamentary agreements’ (the primary one being called the ‘Parliamentary Reform Agreement’) in Australia and changes to a range of parliamentary business, including Private Members’ Business, a reduction in the number and membership composition of General Purpose Standing Committees in the House of Repres- entatives, the establishment of a Regional Australia Committee, a revived Selection Committee to which more bills will be referred and a change of Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Accounts from a Government to an Independent Member. The number of Joint Standing Committees has not changed, but there has been an increase in the number of Joint Select Committees. The Joint Select Committee on Cyber Safety has been reinstated and two new committees on Gambling Reform and a Parliamentary Budget Office have been established. The House has also established an Appropriations and Administration Committee which will be chaired by the Speaker and which is intended to assist in the appropriation of budget funds for the Department of Parliamentary Services. Question Time has been considerably tightened under the Parliamentary Reform Agreement. Time limits have been introduced: a global limit of 90 minutes; 45 seconds for a question; and four minutes for an answer. Further, there is now a requirement that answers must be directly relevant to the question. Standing Orders have been amended to provide for one point of order only on the matter of relevance per answer.
    [Show full text]
  • QUEENSLAND PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES HANDBOOK Introduction
    QUEENSLAND PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES HANDBOOK Introduction The Queensland Parliamentary Procedures handbook is designed to inform Ministers, other Members of the Legislative Assembly and departmental officers of the various procedures associated with the major functions of the Parliament. In particular, departmental officers will value the information provided about the legislative process, the tabling of papers and reports, and interaction with parliamentary committees. The handbook can be accessed on the Queensland Parliament website at: http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-assembly/procedures. Enquiries about the Parliamentary Procedures Handbook The Clerk of the Parliament Parliament House Queensland [email protected] August 2020 The Queensland Parliamentary Procedures Handbook Contents 1.0 Definition of Parliament and the functions of the Legislative Assembly .............................. 1 1.1 Definition of Parliament ........................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Overview of the functions of the Legislative Assembly ............................................................................ 1 1.3 Supply, confidence and government ........................................................................................................ 1 1.4 Legislative function ................................................................................................................................... 2 1.5 Financial control ......................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Paul Hoolihan
    Speech by PAUL HOOLIHAN MEMBER FOR KEPPEL Hansard 18 March 2004 FIRST SPEECH Mr HOOLIHAN (Keppel—ALP) (12.26 p.m.), who was received with government 'Hear, hears!', said: It is an honour and pleasure that I be given the opportunity to move— That the following address be presented to the Governor in reply to the speech delivered by Her Excellency in opening this, the First Session of the 51st Parliament of Queensland— May it please Your Excellency— 'We, the Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland, wish to assure Your Excellency of our continued respect for the Crown and loyalty to the system of government in this State and to tender our thanks for the speech with which you opened the First Session. The various measures to which Your Excellency referred, and all other matters that may be brought before us, will receive our careful consideration, and we shall strive to deal with them so that our endeavours may contribute to the advancement and prosperity of the people of this State.' It is a great personal pleasure to have been accorded the honour of responding to the Governor's speech. The people of Queensland have endorsed the Beattie Labor government by returning them for an historic third term. The positive policies of the government during its first two terms, and concerns for the citizens of this great state, have been recognised as promoting and improving their quality of life, and they have responded with their support. As part of that recognition, I have been honoured by the voters of Keppel in bringing that electorate back to the Labor fold, and I will strive to live up to that honour.
    [Show full text]
  • Inquiry Into Telehealth Services in Queensland
    Parliamentary Inquiry into telehealth services in Queensland Report No. 55 Health and Community Services Committee September 2014 Inquiry into telehealth services in Queensland Report No. 55 Health and Community Services Committee September 2014 Health and Community Services Committee Chair Mr Trevor Ruthenberg MP, Member for Kallangur Deputy Chair Mrs Jo-Ann Miller MP, Member for Bundamba Members Ms Ros Bates MP, Member for Mudgeeraba Dr Alex Douglas MP, Member for Gaven Mr John Hathaway MP, Member for Townsville Mr Jon Krause MP, Member for Beaudesert Mr Dale Shuttleworth MP, Member for Ferny Grove Staff Ms Sue Cawcutt, Research Director Mr Karl Holden, Acting Research Director (from 1 September 2014) Ms Lee Archinal, Principal Research Officer (part-time; to 29 August 2014) Ms Kathleen Dalladay, Principal Research Officer (part-time) Ms Liz Sbeghen, Principal Research Officer (part-time; to 29 August 2014) Ms Stephanie Cash, Executive Assistant Contact details Health and Community Services Committee Parliament House George Street Brisbane Qld 4000 Telephone +61 7 3406 7688 Fax +61 7 3406 7070 Email [email protected] Web www.parliament.qld.gov.au/hcsc The committee would like to acknowledge the assistance of the Telehealth Support Unit and the Department of Health during the inquiry process. ii Health and Community Services Committee Inquiry into telehealth services in Queensland Contents Abbreviations viii Glossary ix Chair’s foreword xi Recommendations xiii Introduction and scope of the inquiry 1 Role of the committee 1 Inquiry
    [Show full text]
  • Inquiry Into the Impacts of Invasive Plants (Weeds) and Their Control In
    Inquiry into the impacts of invasive plants (weeds) and their control in Queensland Report No. 42, 56th Parliament State Development, Natural Resources and Agricultural Industry Development Committee December 2019 Inquiry into the impacts of invasive plants (weeds) and their control in Queensland State Development, Natural Resources and Agricultural Industry Development Committee Chair Mr Chris Whiting MP, Member for Bancroft Deputy Chair Mr Pat Weir MP, Member for Condamine Members Mr David Batt MP, Member for Bundaberg Mr James (Jim) Madden MP, Member for Ipswich West Mr Brent Mickelberg MP, Member for Buderim Ms Jessica (Jess) Pugh MP, Member for Mount Ommaney Committee Secretariat Telephone +61 7 3553 6623 Fax +61 7 3553 6699 Email [email protected] Technical Scrutiny +61 7 3553 6601 Secretariat Committee webpage www.parliament.qld.gov.au/SDNRAIDC Acknowledgements The committee acknowledges the assistance provided by the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy, the Department of Environment and Science, the Department of Transport and Main Roads, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Queensland Parliamentary Service. State Development, Natural Resources and Agricultural Industry Development Committee i Inquiry into the impacts of invasive plants (weeds) and their control in Queensland Contents Abbreviations v Chair’s foreword vi Recommendations viii 1 Introduction 1 1.1 The former Agriculture and Environment Committee inquiry 1 1.2 Role of the committee 2 1.3 Inquiry process 2 1.4 Recommendation
    [Show full text]
  • 2012 Parliamentary Committee's Report
    Report on the Strategic Review of the Office of the Queensland Ombudsman Report No. 15 Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee November 2012 Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee Chair Mr Ray Hopper MP, Member for Condamine Deputy Chair Mr Peter Wellington MP, Member for Nicklin Members Miss Verity Barton MP, Member for Broadwater Mr Bill Byrne MP, Member for Rockhampton Mr Sean Choat MP, Member for Ipswich West Mr Carl Judge MP, Member for Yeerongpilly Mr Trevor Watts MP, Member for Toowoomba North Mr Jason Woodforth MP, Member for Nudgee Staff Mr Brook Hastie, Research Director Mrs Sharon Hunter, Principal Research Officer Ms Ali Jarro, Principal Research Officer Ms Kelli Longworth, Principal Research Officer Mrs Gail Easton, Executive Assistant Contact details Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee Parliament House George Street Brisbane Qld 4000 Telephone (07) 3406 7307 Fax (07) 3406 7070 Email [email protected] Web www.parliament.qld.gov.au/lacsc Acknowledgements The Committee thanks those who briefed the Committee, and participated in the oversight process. In particular, the Committee acknowledges the assistance provided by Mr Henry Smerdon AM. Contents Abbreviations v Glossary vi Chair’s foreword vii Recommendations viii 1. Introduction 1 1.1 Role of the Committee 1 1.2 Conduct of the Strategic Review of the Office of the Ombudsman 1 1.3 Functions of the Ombudsman 2 2. 2011-2012 Strategic Review 3 2.1 General comments 3 2.2 Consideration of certain recommendations 4 Role of the Office of the Ombudsman
    [Show full text]
  • Water Legislation (Dam Safety and Water Supply Enhancement) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012
    Water Legislation (Dam Safety and Water Supply Enhancement) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 Report No. 8 State Development, Infrastructure and Industry Committee October 2012 State Development, Infrastructure and Industry Committee Chair Mr Ted Malone MP, Chair, Member for Mirani Deputy Chair Mr Tim Mulherin MP, Deputy Chair, Member for Mackay Members Mr Scott Driscoll MP, Member for Redcliffe Mr Michael Hart MP, Member for Burleigh Mr Seath Holswich MP, Member for Pine Rivers Mr Rob Katter MP, Member for Mount Isa Ms Kerry Millard MP, Member for Sandgate Mr Bruce Young MP, Member for Keppel Staff Dr Kathy Munro, Research Director Ms Erin Pasley, Acting Research Director (14 September - 12 October) Ms Mary Westcott, Principal Research Officer Ms Linh Luong, Principal Research Officer Ms Rhia Campillo, Executive Assistant Technical Scrutiny of Ms Renée Easten, Research Director Legislation Secretariat Ms Marissa Ker, Principal Research Officer Ms Tamara Vitale, Executive Assistant Contact details State Development, Infrastructure and Industry Committee Parliament House George Street Brisbane Qld 4000 Telephone +61 7 3406 7230 Fax +61 7 3406 7500 Email [email protected] Web www.parliament.qld.gov.au/sdiic Acknowledgements The committee thanks those who briefed the committee, made submissions, gave evidence and participated in its inquiry. In particular, the committee acknowledges the assistance provided by the Department of Energy and Water Supply. Contents Abbreviations iv Recommendations vi 1. Introduction 1 1.1 Role
    [Show full text]
  • Parliamentary Committee's Inquiry Into the Strategic Review of the Office Of
    Inquiry into the Strategic Review of the Office of the Queensland Ombudsman Report No. 25, 56th Parliament Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee November 2018 Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee Chair Mr Peter Russo MP, Member for Toohey, Chair Deputy Chair Mr James Lister MP, Member for Southern Downs, Deputy Chair Members Mr Stephen Andrew MP, Member for Mirani Mr Jim McDonald MP, Member for Lockyer Mrs Melissa McMahon MP, Member for Macalister Ms Corrine McMillan MP, Member for Mansfield Committee Secretariat Telephone +61 7 3553 6641 Fax +61 7 3553 6699 Email [email protected] Committee webpage www.parliament.qld.gov.au/lacsc Acknowledgements The committee acknowledges the assistance provided by the Reviewer, Ms Simone Webbe, and the Queensland Ombudsman and the staff of the Office of the Queensland Ombudsman. Inquiry into the Strategic Review of the Office of the Queensland Ombudsman Contents Abbreviations ii Chair’s foreword iii Recommendation iv 1 Introduction 1 1.1 The committee 1 1.2 Strategic reviews of the Office of the Ombudsman 1 1.3 2017 strategic review 1 1.3.1 Scope 1 1.3.2 Methodology 2 1.3.3 Strategic review report 3 1.3.4 Response of the Ombudsman to the strategic review report 4 1.4 The committee’s inquiry into the strategic review report 4 2 The strategic review report 5 2.1 Proposed legislative change supported by Reviewer and Ombudsman 5 2.1.1 Widening the scope of preliminary inquiries beyond complaints 5 2.1.2 Ability to formally refer a matter and monitor an investigation undertaken by
    [Show full text]
  • First Premier of Queensland
    Factsheet 7.2 First Premier of Queensland Robert George Wyndham Herbert state aid to religion and with regards to land, (1831-1905) the concern of settling the land and promoting agriculture. Herbert determined that government Born on 12 June 1831 in Brighton, England, should keep pace with settlement, and, indeed, the only son of a barrister, Algernon encourage it. Another high priority of Herbert’s Herbert, Robert Herbert attended Eton government was the expansion and diversification from 1844 until 1849 and then entered of Queensland’s production. Herbert was impressed Balliol College, Oxford. He graduated with with the suitability of Queensland for tropical Honours in 1854 and was elected a fellow produce, and had high hopes for the colony as a of All Souls. Graduating in law in 1856, producer of cotton, but along with many others he Herbert was called to the Bar in 1858. lost his own investments in the crop. In June 1859, Sir George Ferguson Bowen In February 1866, Robert Herbert turned the was appointed Governor of the new colony premiership over to Macalister and sat as a Private of Queensland. He was authorised to Member until August 1866 before returning to select a private secretary who could also become Colonial Secretary of Queensland, ‘independent of local influences’. Bowen chose Herbert and on the 10 December 1859, Robert George Herbert was commissioned as Colonial Secretary. He was only 28. In the 1860 elections for Members of the first Legislative Assembly in the Parliament of Queensland, Herbert was invited to contest three seats and was returned unopposed in the electorate of Leichhardt.
    [Show full text]
  • (Further Extension of Expiring Provisions) Amendment Bill 2021
    Public Health and Other Legislation (Further Extension of Expiring Provisions) Amendment Bill 2021 Report No. 11, 57th Parliament Economics and Governance Committee August 2021 Economics and Governance Committee Chair Mr Linus Power MP, Member for Logan Deputy Chair Mr Ray Stevens MP, Member for Mermaid Beach Members Mr Michael Crandon MP, Member for Coomera Mrs Melissa McMahon MP, Member for Macalister Mr Daniel Purdie MP, Member for Ninderry Mr Adrian Tantari MP, Member for Hervey Bay Committee Secretariat Telephone +61 7 3553 6637 Fax +61 7 3553 6699 Email [email protected] Technical Scrutiny +61 7 3553 6601 Secretariat Committee webpage www.parliament.qld.gov.au/EGC Acknowledgements The committee acknowledges the assistance provided by Queensland Health. All web address references were current as at 31 July 2021. Public Health and Other Legislation (Further Extension of Expiring Provisions) Amendment Bill 2021 Contents Abbreviations iii Chair’s foreword vi Recommendation vii 1 Introduction 1 1.1 Role of the committee 1 1.2 Inquiry referral and background 1 1.3 Inquiry process 2 1.4 Government consultation on the Bill 3 1.5 Should the Bill be passed? 4 2 Background 5 3 Extension of COVID-19 emergency measures 9 3.1 Overall stakeholder views 9 3.2 Public health response measures 13 3.2.1 Isolation and quarantine directions 17 3.2.2 Contract tracing and the use of QR code readers 21 3.3 Other COVID-19 emergency measures 24 3.3.1 Support for flexible business operations 24 3.3.2 Amendments relating to requirements for attendance,
    [Show full text]