Queensland Parliament Sitting

This week was the first full sitting of Parliament since the January election.

While there was little of direct significance to the property industry, below is a snapshot that includes the key policies and bills that were debated or introduced:

· Maiden speeches continued

· Debate occurred on the Government’s Bill to change electoral donation laws, and removing voter proof of identity requirements.

· The Queensland Opposition introduced a red tape reduction bill, to reduce the regulatory burden on the liquor and tourism industries, by amending the Liquor Act 1992. The Bill has been referred to the Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee, their report must be tabled in Parliament by 6 November 2015.

· A motion was moved by the Queensland Opposition for the house to support an ethanol mandate in fuel, and to form an implementation board. The Government amended the motion to note, the Government’s decision on 23 April to introduce an ethanol mandate, and that stakeholder consultation had commenced, and will continue via a discussion paper to be released by the end of May 2015.