Community Safety Plan the final straw for crossbenchers

The state government has been accused of ramming through laws without proper community consultation in the lead-up to the state election.

Premier Steven Miles (front) with Police Minister Mark Ryan

The state government has been accused of ramming through laws without proper community consultation in the lead-up to the state election – with a landmark crime plan the final straw for its opponents.

This month’s behemoth 181-page Queensland Community Safety Plan was opened for public submission for just 16 days, despite it including significant changes to weapons licensing and the controversial change to detention as a last resort.

It was the final straw for the LNP and Katter’s Australian Party, which separately called for the government to extend consultation.

Katter MP Nick Dametto called on Police Minister Mark Ryan and the Community Safety and Legal Affairs Committee to extend the submission period for the bill by six weeks, arguing there were significant changes that would affect licensed firearms owners.

“It was no surprise to learn that the committee chair responded with lighting speed to say that the submission and reporting dates would remain the same, and no extension would be granted,” he said.

“The committee is bound by the reporting times set by the house, to stop this disastrous outcome for Queenslanders the Minister must revoke all provisions within the bill that may negatively affect licensed firearm owners and the wider community, with the intention to commence genuine consultation with all stakeholders involved at a later date.”

Manager of Opposition Business Andrew Powell joined KAP in calling for the community consultation period for the Bill be extended.

“Labor has chosen to completely ignore those calls and after a decade in power clearly has no interest in listening to Queenslanders any more,” he said.

“Under the chaos and crisis of Premier Steven Miles, Labor has stooped to new lows wilfully trashing parliamentary processes for their own political gain.

“Labor will do and say anything in an election year to try and cling to power and that means they are listening to Queenslanders less and less, guillotining important debates all over the place and shutting down anything that is contrary to their re-election campaign.”

Several stakeholders including the RACQ and rural fire brigades have previously raised concern with the short timings of the state government’s consultation.

Leader of the House Mick de Brenni said legislative timings were usual practice.

“The Queensland Community Safety Bill was introduced and sent to the Community Safety and Legal Affairs for six weeks consultation,” he said.

“Consultation of six weeks is a standard approach, the bill was not declared urgent.

“The LNP have form when in government for introducing and debating bills in the same week or sitting day.”