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Call for Submissions

Submissions closed on Friday, 11 October 2013.

Objectives of the Bill

The Bill includes a scheme to tackle the increasing occurrences of out-of-control events which can often involve large groups of people whose conduct results in community members fearing violence to themselves, their families, and damage to their property.

While the police currently have powers to deal with a riot or unlawful assembly, the conduct of people at out-of-control events may not reach this level of unlawful behaviour or may not be undertaken with the requisite common purpose. Also, while police officers have powers to deal with breaches of the peace, public nuisance offences and affray, none of these offences are targeted at persons who organise events which become out-of-control and are frequently undertaken for financial gain. Parents will also be held accountable for either allowing their child to hold the event or contributing to the out-of-control event through inadequate supervision.

The proposed amendments will enable police officers, following authorisation for use of out-of-control event powers, to undertake actions reasonably necessary to prevent an event from becoming an out-of-control event in circumstances where it is reasonably suspected the event is likely to become an out-of-control event. The amendments are required to provide a greater deterrence to overcome the celebrity or profit individuals seeks through organising such events.

Additionally, the Bill proposes to amend the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000 to provide for the offence of failing to stop a vehicle when the driver of the vehicle has been directed to do so by a police officer. The offence of ‘evading police’ was created as an alternative to pursuits and to ensure that a sufficient deterrent exists following the decision of the Queensland Police Service to move towards a more restrictive police pursuit policy.

Finally the Bill fulfils the Government’s commitment to revitalise front line services, undertaking a range of amendments which will benefit the community by improving the efficiency of the delivery of police services and the efficiency of the use of police resources.

Other Information

The Police Powers and Responsibilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2013 and Explanatory Notes are available from the Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel at www.legislation.qld.gov.au.

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

Public Briefing

The Committee held a public briefing on the Bill with the Queensland Police Service at Parliament House, Brisbane on Thursday 26 September 2013.

The briefing was broadcast live on the Queensland Parliament website.

Copies of the transcript can be accessed here or at Related Publications.

Referral

On 12 September 2013, the Minister for Police and Community Safety, the Hon Jack Dempsey MP, introduced the Police Powers and Responsibilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2013 into the Queensland Parliament.  In accordance with Standing Order 131 of the Standing Rules and Orders of the Legislative Assembly, the Bill was referred to the Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee (the Committee) for detailed consideration.

By motion of the House, the Committee was required to report to the Parliament by 11 November 2013.

Report

On 11 November 2013, the Committee tabled its Report No. 44, Police Powers and Responsibilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2013. A copy of the report is available here or can be accessed at Related Publications.

The Government tabled its response to the Committee's report on 28 November 2013. A copy of the Government Response is available here or can be accessed at Related Publications.

The Police Powers and Responsibilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2013 was passed, with amendment, by the Legislative Assembly on 11 February 2014.