Media
Strong action on crime showing results in 2024
Queensland has recorded a slight decrease in the overall
rate of reported crime in the latest data released by the
Queensland Police Service (QPS) today. There has been a one per
cent drop in the overall reported crime rate this current financial
year (FYTD) compared with the same period last year.The reduction
is attributed to collaboration across agencies on prevention,
intervention and detention initiatives, as well as high visibility
policing patrols and the targeted flying squad (22 April 2024).
Read more here.
Latest action plan key to efforts to end sexual violence
in Queensland
The Miles Government has launched its second action plan
outlining initiatives designed to prevent and respond to sexual
violence in the community. The document builds upon the work of
Prevent. Support. Believe. Queensland's Framework to address
Sexual Violence and its first action plan. The Sexual Violence
Prevention Action Plan runs from 2023-24 to 2027-28 and places
victim-survivors at its centre. It captures the extensive work
underway across government to prevent and respond to sexual
violence, including in response to the second report of the
Women's Safety and Justice Taskforce (19 April 2024). Read more
here.
The regulatory framework for offshore wind projects in
Australian waters
While Australia's onshore wind industry is relatively
mature, contributing 34.6% of renewable electricity generation and
10.7% of total electricity generation in 2021–22, Australia
is yet to capitalise on its 'very high quality and abundant
offshore wind resources'. In contrast, the offshore renewable
industry is well established in major economies such as Europe, the
United States and China, and is growing around the world. Total
global offshore wind capacity was 64.3 gigawatts in 2022 and is
expected to reach 447 gigawatts by the end of 2032 (3 April 2024).
Read more here.
Outcomes of the 2024 ASEAN-Australia Special
Summit
Leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN), Australia and Timor-Leste gathered in Melbourne from 4 to
6 March 2024 for the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit, marking the
50th Anniversary of ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations. This
assembly marked a significant juncture, reflecting on the past 5
decades of cooperation and charting a course for future
collaboration under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP)
initiated in 2021 (2 April 2024). Read more here.
Anti-Discrimination Bill 2024 Consultation
The Queensland Government sought community feedback on the
new Anti-Discrimination Bill 2024 that will
replace the Act. The proposed new anti-discrimination law would
fundamentally alter the operation of Queensland's
discrimination legislation with a view to ensuring it is a modern
and effective instrument that appropriately protects people from
discrimination, sexual harassment, vilification and other
objectionable/unlawful conduct (22 March 2024). Read more here.
Publications
Managing Queensland's debt and investments
2023
This report examines how the Queensland Government manages
its debt and investments, including the associated risks. It also
reports on recent transactions related to debt and investments.
Read more here.
Unemployment rate rises to 3.8 per cent in March
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose by 0.1
percentage point to 3.8 per cent in March, according to data
released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Bjorn
Jarvis, ABS head of labour statistics said: "With employment
falling by around 7,000 people and the number of unemployed rising
by 21,000 people, the unemployment rate rose to 3.8 per cent."
Details here.
State entities 2023
This report summarises the audit results of Queensland
state government entities, analyses financial performance,
highlights main transactions, and assesses internal controls. Read
more here.
The 2024 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit
This Research Paper provides an overview of the evolving
context around ASEAN-Australia relations leading up to the 2024
Special Summit, setting the stage for the summit's agenda. Read
the report here.
Practice
Industrial Court of Queensland Practice Direction Number
1 of 2024
This Practice Direction applies to the citation of case
law, whether in written or oral submissions, by parties appearing
in any matter before the Court or Commission; commenced 18 January
2024. Read more here.
Supreme Court of Queensland Practice Direction Number 12
of 2024
This Practice Direction is issued under s 13 of the Jury
Act 1995 (Qld) and relates to excusal from jury service on the
basis of 'genuine religious belief' or if jury service
would result in 'substantial financial hardship to the business
that employs the person'; commenced 11 March 2024. Read more here.
Supreme Court of Queensland Practice Direction Number 13
of 2024
This Practice Direction applies to barristers who accept
instructions directly from a person, rather than a solicitor (a
'direct access brief'), requiring them to prepare a
document for the direct access brief and file within the Court
Registry; commenced 10 April 2024. Read more here.
Supreme Court of Queensland Practice Direction Number 14
of 2024
This Practice Direction aims to enhance the quality and
reliability of evidence relied upon in a criminal proceeding by way
of utilizing pre-trial and trial processes at the earliest
practicable opportunity; commenced 15 April 2024. Read more here.
Cases
Medical Board of Australia v Pawape (No.
2) [2024] QCAT 141
PROFESSIONS AND TRADES – HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS –
MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS – DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS –
PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT AND UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT – where
the respondent had conditions imposed on his registration –
where the respondent breached those conditions – where breach
of conditions was found to be professional misconduct –
respondent reprimanded
AB
(a pseudonym) v Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption
Commission [2024] HCA 10
Statutes – Construction – Procedural fairness –
Reasonable opportunity to respond – Where Independent
Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission ("IBAC") conducted
investigation into allegations of unauthorised access to and
disclosure of internal email accounts – Where IBAC provided
redacted draft special report containing proposed adverse findings
against appellants – Where IBAC refused to provide
evidentiary material for proposed adverse findings
Millar v Brisbane City Council [2024] QCAT
93
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNALS –
QUEENSLAND CIVIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL – animals
– dangerous dogs – where unprovoked attack causing
physical injury and fear – where two dogs were attacked on
separate occasions at a local dog park – where allegations of
provocation by victim dogs on both occasions – where
provocation confined to growling and baring of teeth – where
respondent satisfied that the attack was unprovoked – where
attacks on two separate occasions in close proximity to each other
– whether the applicant's dog was subject to provocation
in each attack by the victim dogs – whether applicant's
dog was defending itself – whether attack caused bodily harm
– whether serious attack by applicant's dog –
whether a dangerous dog declaration should be made on review
Jonathon Samuel Leitch v Christian Outreach
Centre & Brian Francis Mulheran [2024] QCAT 90
HUMAN RIGHTS – DISCRIMINATION LEGISLATION – GROUNDS OF
DISCRIMINATION – DISCRIMINATION DUE TO POLITICAL OR RELIGIOUS
BELIEFS – where the respondent filed an application to
summarily dismiss/strike out – where respondent is a school
run by a religious organisation – where applicant alleges
religious, sexuality and association discrimination – whether
the proceedings are vexatious, frivolous or misconceived, lacking
in substance or an abuse of process
Johnston & Ors v Carroll (APM, Commissioner
of the Queensland Police Service) & Anor; Ishiyama & Ors v
Aitken & Ors; Hunt & Ors v Gerrard & Anor [2024]
QSC 6
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – JUDICIAL REVIEW – STANDING TO
INSTITUTE PROCEEDINGS – GENERALLY – where the Chief
Health Officer issued a series of directions regarding vaccination
against COVID-19 – where the directions have since been
revoked – where the respondents in each proceeding bring an
application claiming the applicants no longer have standing –
whether the applicants in each proceeding have standing to seek a
review of the decisions
Legislation
Bills introduced
Government
Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Arrangements
Amendment Bill 2024
Mineral and Energy Resources and Other Legislation
Amendment Bill 2024
Resources Safety and Health Legislation Amendment
Bill 2024
State Financial Institutions and Metway Merger
Amendment Bill 2024
Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation and
Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024
Bills passed without amendment
Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment)
and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024
Land and Other Legislation Amendment Bill
2024
Bills amended during passage
Agriculture and Fisheries and Other Legislation
Amendment Bill 2023
Clean Economy Jobs Bill 2024
Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Bill
2023
Housing Availability and Affordability (Planning
and Other Legislation Amendment) Bill 2024
Proclamations commencing Acts made
Subordinate legislation notified
Legal Profession (Society Rules) Amendment Notice
2024
Marine Parks (Great Sandy) Zoning Plan
2024
Marine Parks and Other Legislation Amendment
Regulation 2024
Motor Accident Insurance (Administration Fee and
Levies) and Other Legislation Amendment Regulation 2024
Nature Conservation Legislation Amendment
Regulation 2024
Public Trustee (Interest Rate) Amendment
Regulation (No. 2) 2024
Gas Supply Amendment Regulation 2024
Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety)
Legislation Amendment Regulation 2024
Proclamation – Gas Supply and Other
Legislation (Hydrogen Industry Development) Amendment Act 2023
(commencing remaining provisions)
Public Records (Commission of Inquiry to Examine
DNA Project 13 Concerns) Amendment Regulation 2024
Transport Operations (Marine Safety) (Riverston
Bay Marine Zone) Amendment Regulation 2024
Work Health and Safety (Codes of Practice) (Solar
Farms) and Other Legislation Amendment Notice 2024
Heavy Vehicle National Legislation Amendment
Regulation 2024
Lotteries Amendment Regulation 2024
Water Plan (Burnett Basin) (Postponement of
Expiry) Notice 2024
Subordinate legislation tabled
Attorney-General and Other Legislation Amendment
Regulation 2024
Environmental Protection and Other Legislation
Amendment (Postponement) Regulation 2024
Gas Supply Amendment Regulation 2024
Heavy Vehicle National Legislation Amendment
Regulation 2024
Justices of the Peace and Commissioners for
Declarations Amendment Regulation 2024
Legal Profession (Society Rules) Amendment Notice
2024
Marine Parks (Great Sandy) Zoning Plan
2024
Marine Parks and Other Legislation Amendment
Regulation 2024
Motor Accident Insurance (Administration Fee and
Levies) and Other Legislation Amendment Regulation 2024
Nature Conservation (Fee Waivers) and Other
Legislation Amendment Regulation 2024
Nature Conservation Legislation Amendment
Regulation 2024
Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety)
Legislation Amendment Regulation 2024
Proclamation No. 3 –Justice and Other
Legislation Amendment Act 2023 (commencing certain
provisions)
Proclamation No. 4 – Justice and Other
Legislation Amendment Act 2023 (commencing certain
provisions)
Proclamation – Body Corporate and Community
Management and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2023 (commencing
remaining provisions)
Proclamation – Gas Supply and Other
Legislation (Hydrogen Industry Development) Amendment Act 2023
(commencing remaining provisions)
Public Records (Commission of Inquiry to Examine
DNA Project 13 Concerns) Amendment Regulation 2024
Public Trustee (Interest Rate) Amendment
Regulation (No. 2) 2024
Transport Operations (Marine Safety) (Riverston
Bay Marine Zone) Amendment Regulation 2024
Trust Accounts (Transitional) Regulation
2024
Work Health and Safety (Codes of Practice) (Solar
Farms) and Other Legislation Amendment Notice 2024
Work Health and Safety (Quad Bikes) Amendment
Regulation 2024
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.