BILL FOR INTRODUCTION IN PARLIAMENT THIS WEEK

For Parliamentary Week beginning Tuesday 4 September 2007

Premier Peter Beattie said today that the Transport Legislation Amendment Bill 2007 will be introduced to Parliament this week.

THE TRANSPORT LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 2007, Minister for Transport. Media contact: Robert Hoge 0419 757 868.

The Bill amends a number of pieces of transport legislation with changes to the Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Act 1994 to provide for peak demand taxi services to help reduce waiting times during busy times, and changes to limousine regulations. There are also changes to the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 to improve compliance with, and enforcement of, heavy vehicle operating requirements. It will also change legislation to ensure that periods of multiple driver disqualification take effect cumulatively and not concurrently for certain drink driving offences and these provisions will also apply to drug driving offences. There will be changes to the Maritime and other Legislation Amendment Act to ensure that periods of multiple driver disqualification take effect cumulatively and not concurrently for certain drink driving offences and this will also apply to drug driving offences. Changes to the Transport Infrastructure Act 1994 will ensure the smooth procurement of the Airport Link project by City North Infrastructure Pty Ltd including tolling provisions. Changes to the Transport Planning and Coordination Act 1994 will clarify powers to acquire or resume land while changes to the Transport Operations (Marine Pollution) Act 1995 will be amended to align it with recent changes to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships.

Other Bills expected to be debated this week include:

THE COMMISSION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE AND CHILD GUARDIAN AMENDMENT BILL 2007, Premier and Minister for Trade. Media contact: 3224 4500.

The Queensland Government is moving quickly to clarify the need for people who provide health, counselling and support services to children to have a blue card and risk management strategy. The amendments spell out that the blue card system applies to a person providing health services to children which involve physical contact, or providing the service to a child who is alone. The Bill also makes it clear that the blue card system applies to people providing counselling or support services to a child on a one-on-one basis or over the phone or Internet. Registered health practitioners remain exempt from the requirement to obtain a blue card. Likewise, the exemption for government service providers and licensed care services has been retained.

URBAN LAND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY BILL 2007, Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure. Media contact: Steve Keating 3224 4379.

The Bill proposes to establish the Urban Land Development Authority which is part of the State Government’s Queensland Housing Affordability Strategy. The Authority will plan, undertake, promote, coordinate and control the development of certain areas of land in Queensland for urban purposes.

REVENUE AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL, Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure. Media contact: Steve Keating 3224 4379.

The Bill proposes to amend the Duties Act 2001 to enable the electronic lodgment and payment of duties. The amendments are similar to those made in 2005 to support electronic lodgment of payroll tax. The Bill also proposes legislative amendments to facilitate the sale of the Queensland Government’s wind assets and gas business.

Media contact: Premier’s office 3224 4500