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Inquiry Lapsed

The 56th Queensland Parliament has been dissolved by proclamation dated 6 October 2020. Therefore the Inquiry into the Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2020 has lapsed.

At some time after the State election, a new parliament will commence and new committees will be appointed. The date of commencement is not yet known. It will be a matter for the new parliament whether to make a fresh referral to a committee of any lapsed inquiries.  If a new committee continues an inquiry commenced before the dissolution, it can have regard to evidence and submissions received by its predecessor committee.

Updated advice will be provided when more information is available. 

About the Bill

On 12 August 2020, the Minister for Education and Minister for Industrial Relations, the Hon Grace Grace MP, introduced the Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2020 (Bill) into the Legislative Assembly. The Bill was referred to the Education, Employment and Small Business Committee for detailed consideration and report by 12 February 2021. 

View: Bill
View: Explanatory notes
View: Statement of compatibility with human rights
View: Explanatory speech

The explanatory notes state that the Bill will introduce presumptive workers’ compensation for first responders and eligible employees, diagnosed with PTSD. The objective of the Bill is to provide an alternative claims pathway for first responders who are struggling to cope with PTSD that presumes they have a work-related injury, unless it is proved their injury was not caused by work.

The Bill achieves its objectives by amending the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 and the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Regulation 2014 to introduce presumptive workers’ compensation for first responders and eligible employees who are diagnosed with PTSD by a psychiatrist.

Call for submissions

Submissions closed on 25 September 2020. Submissions are now available under the "View Submissions" tab.

Timeline

Submission closed: 25 September 2020.

Related information

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