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Objectives of the Bill

The key objective of the bill is to equip police with powers to enable a swift response to any public emergencies in Queensland.

The Explanatory Notes advise that the bill makes a number of amendments designed to improve the management and resolution of emergencies by enabling the Queensland Police Service to rapidly gather information, obtain authorisations and exercise powers in an endeavour to mitigate or minimise the impacts of emergency situations - including natural disasters, accidents and criminal actions, terrorist emergencies and chemical, biological and radiological emergencies.

According to the Minister, the new laws will:

• Enable police to require any person or organisation to provide information during a declared emergency
• Create an offence for refusing to provide information sought by police or to give false or misleading information with penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment to apply
• Extend the power to search and seize vehicles as they leave or enter a declared area
• Broaden the power for police to seize things from a person during a declared emergency to include things that a person may use to cause harm.

The Bill would amend the following Acts:

• Corrective Services Act 2006
• Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000
• Public Safety Preservation Act 1986
• Terrorism (Preventative Detention) Act 2005.

The Counter-Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016 and Explanatory Notes are available from the Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel at www.legislation.qld.gov.au.

The Hansard transcript of the explanatory speech for the Bill can be accessed here.

Other Information

Any additional information about the process for this Inquiry will be published in due course.

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Public Briefing

A public briefing regarding the Bill was held at Parliament House on 11 May 2016.  The briefing details and a written briefing from relevant agencies can be accessed under the Related Publications tab.  The proof transcript can be viewed under the Related Publications tab.  Final transcript to be published in due course.

Referral

On 19 April 2016, the Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services and Minister for Corrective Services, the Hon. Bill Byrne MP, introduced the Counter-Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016 into the Queensland Parliament.  The bill was referred to the Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee for detailed consideration.

The committee is required to report on the bill by 12 July 2016.

Submissions

Submissions closed on 13 May 2016.   Submissions received can be viewed under the Submissions tab.