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New laws sparked by Jackie Trad property scandal set for Parliament today
New laws introduced in State Parliament today in the wake of Jackie Trad's investment property saga mean Queensland's Director of Public Prosecutions will decide whether ministers caught intentionally breaching conflict of interest rules should be charged.
QUEENSLAND’S Director of Public Prosecutions will decide whether ministers caught intentionally breaching conflict of interest rules should be charged under new laws introduced in State Parliament today in the wake of Jackie Trad’s investment property saga.
QUEENSLAND’S Director of Public Prosecutions will decide whether ministers caught intentionally breaching conflict of interest rules should be charged under new laws introduced in State Parliament today in the wake of Jackie Trad’s investment property saga.
Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath introduced the changes today among a sweet of reforms including new donation caps and campaign spending caps.
Ministers and councillors could be jailed for up to two years if they intentionally breach conflict of interest and register of interest rules, under the laws.
“The proposed new offences in the Integrity Act 2009 and the Parliament of Queensland Act 2001 seek to capture deliberate and intentional dishonesty by Ministers where they intend to gain a benefit for themselves or another person or cause a detriment to another person,” Ms D’Ath told the House.
“Each of the proposed new offences will have a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment or 200 penalty units and charges for both new offences will not be able to be laid without the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions.”
MPs also face the prospect of losing their seat if they are convicted and sentenced to more than one year in prison.
Ms D’Ath new laws will also ban Election Day bunting and limit candidates and political parties to no more than two signs within 100m of a polling centre entry.
The laws will go before a committee before returning to the House early next year.
Originally published as New laws sparked by Jackie Trad property scandal set for Parliament today