Bill adds to domestic violence protections

Victims of domestic violence will be provided greater protection under proposed new laws introduced to Parliament today.

Natural Resources and Mines Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said the Land, Explosives and Other Legislation Amendment Bill would support the Queensland Government’s Not Now Not Ever policy by prohibiting people on domestic violence orders from holding an explosives licence.

“These amendments act in two ways: they stop a person on a DV order getting an explosives licence and if they have a licence, it’s suspended immediately,” Dr Lynham said.

“This aligns with the recommendations of the Not Now, Not Ever report of the Special Taskforce on Domestic and Family Violence.”

The Palaszczuk Government accepted all the recommendations of the report. At the end of August, 74 of those had been completed and work had begun on the others.

The Bill also means taxpayers will not be lumped with the costs of cleaning up state land when a lease expires or a permit is cancelled.

“There are a number of buildings and structures on state land that have been deemed unsafe and poorly maintained preventing future use on the land or are inconsistent with the land’s intended use.

“Dealing with these structures is a liability to taxpayers.  The changes to the Land Act proposed in this Bill will give government stronger powers to act,” Dr Lynham said.

“For example, if a lessee on a commercial lease of state land builds an unsafe building the Government will now have powers to request its repair, removal or if needed, even more ability to recover the costs of removal.

“These changes are part of a suite of amendments that more effectively address legacy issues, poor behaviour and non-compliance on State land and remove the associated cost burden from tax payers.”

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Media contact: David Potter 0428 411 617