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Report

On 1 October 2014, the Committee tabled its Report No. 56, Family Responsibilities Commission Amendment Bill 2014. A copy of the report is available here or can be accessed under the 'Related Publications' tab.

Referral

On 5 August 2014, the Family Responsibilities Commission Amendment Bill 2014 was introduced into the Legislative Assembly by the Hon Glen Elmes MP, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural Affairs and Minister Assisting the Premier. 

The Bill was referred to the Health and Community Services Committee in accordance with Standing Order 131. The committee was required to report to the Parliament by 1 October 2014. 

The Bill

The Bill amends the Family Responsibilities Commission Act 2008 to extend the operations of the Family Responsibilities Commission (FRC) beyond 1 January 2015. The FRC is part of the Cape York Welfare Reform Trial, which operates as a partnership between the Queensland Government, the Australian Government and the Cape York Institute for Policy and Leadership.

The Bill proposes to omit definitions of specific communities from the Act. The Explanatory Notes state this will simplify processes for specific communities to join, or no longer be subject to, the operations of the FRC. Currently the welfare reform applies in four Cape York communities (Aurukun, Hope Vale, Coen and Mossman Gorge). It is proposed to add Doomadgee as a further welfare reform community under the Act, to be prescribed in the Regulation.

The Bill proposes adding triggers for notifications to the FRC where:

• a community resident is convicted in the District or Supreme Courts (in addition to the current Magistrates Court trigger) and
• a child is convicted in a court.

The Bill also proposes the FRC Board meet every six months, rather than quarterly.

The Bill and Explanatory Notes are available:

• Family Responsibilities Commission Bill 2014
• Explanatory Notes to the Bill
• Minister's Explanatory Speech (5 August 2014)

Call for Submissions

Submissions closed on Monday 1 September 2014. Accepted submission are available under the 'Submissions' tab at the top of this page.

Briefing and Hearing

A public briefing on the Bill by the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural Affairs was held on 27 August 2014. The transcript of the briefing is available here.

Response

The government's final response to the report, tabled on 14 October 2014 is available here.

Bill Passed

The Bill was debated and passed by the Parliament on 14 October 2014, and is Act No. 54 of 2014. 

The transcript of the parliamentary debate is available here. By clicking the icon immediately before each speaker’s name, you can view video footage of each speaker’s debate.