Coronavirus committee to oversee government proposed by opposition

The Queensland Opposition has called for the creation of a committee to scrutinise the State's COVID-19 response ahead of a potentially tumultuous marathon sitting of Parliament today.

THE Opposition has called for the creation of a committee to scrutinise the State's COVID-19 response ahead of a potentially tumultuous marathon sitting of parliament

But rules for today's session, in which emergency COVID-19 legislation will be rushed through, were still last night in the spotlight as official advice warned that surplus LNP MPs who sought to vote would be in contempt of parliament.

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Two Bills will be introduced, including one which will enact more than $4 billion worth of stimulus.

The other will be an omnibus Bill which will include the Government’s watered-down rental changes, the creation of a small business commissioner and justice provisions that would facilitate transactions via teleconferencing.

It will also include amendments that would allow parliament to sit virtually amid the pandemic.

Deputy Leader Tim Mander said the Opposition should be allowed to oversee Queensland’s response to COVID-19.

Deputy LNP Leader Tim Mander. Picture: Peter Carruthers

“We are the only parliament in the country that does not have an upper house,” he said.

“We have been advocating for a select committee that is similar to what has happened in New Zealand, what’s happened in other states as well, headed up by the Opposition to make sure that we can keep the government accountable.

"The government should not shy away from that scrutiny or that accountability.”

It comes after Manager of Opposition Business Jarrod Bleijie accused the Premier of “thumbing her nose to accountability in parliament” after the Government asked the LNP to submit a list of Ministers it intended to grill during Question Time, and asked 30 Government and 30 Opposition MPs to remain at home.

It's understood many Opposition MPs are due to turn up anyway, leading to advice from the Clerk of parliament that any paired members who seek to vote will be held in contempt.

Ms Palaszczuk yesterday said the Government was looking at ways for how all MPs could be involved next month.

“Some of our regional MPs may be able to come to parliament depending on how our cases go,” she said.

The Premier said there were more flights being made available while some MPs may choose to drive to Brisbane or catch the train.

“But what we are looking at very clearly is how can our parliament accommodate all of our MPs to be involved,” she said.

“So that may be some online, some visibly present.

Qld Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

“But can I make it very clear, we have to actually adhere to the social distancing rules and what Jarrod Bleijie did last time was absolutely disgraceful where he called a division and asked every single MP to come into the chamber.

“I say to the Opposition, work with the government, we want our parliament and our democracy to work.

“We’ll be sitting one day this month and my intention is to follow the national parliament and if they sit for a full three days next month, I am more than happy to convene for the three full days.”

Question Time at the Queensland parliament, Brisbane 17th of March 2020. (AAP Image/Josh Woning)