Palaszczuk Government ensures safety of Queenslanders

Today Minister for Police Bill Byrne introduced a Bill in Queensland Parliament that will increase the Queensland Police Service’s ability to get on with the job of keeping Queenslanders safe.

“The proposed introduction of the Australian Crime Commission and other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016 is about ensuring police have the powers necessary to keep Queenslanders safe and brings Queensland in line with other States and Territories,” Minister Byrne said.

“As criminal activity changes and becomes more sophisticated, it is imperative that police powers keep pace with these changes.

The Palaszczuk Government is proposing a number of amendments:

• Permits police to use a firearms and explosives detection dog without a warrant to carry out explosive detection operations at licenced premises, in a public place or a tattoo parlour
• Ensures it is lawful under the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000 for a police officer to arrest a person without warrant at the instruction of another police officer, where there are lawful grounds for the arrest

“We want to ensure that police have appropriate powers to direct and engage with offenders in a given situation.

“Similarly, it’s important that the legislation meets the needs of officers in practise. This ranges from organisational co-ordination between the Queensland Police Service and the Australian Crime Commission, to effect detection powers for major events.

“The government has made it clear, we are determined to ensure police have the resources and powers needed to get on with their job and keeping our communities safe of crime.

“This Bill keeps to this commitment.”

ENDS

Media Contact: Michelle Connolly 0478 325 738