In the media
Richardson Review: Law Council deeply concerned by
recommendation to cut judiciary out of warrant approval
The Law Council of Australia has expressed deep concern
over a key element of the Richardson Review: a recommendation that
warrants to exercise intrusive intelligence collection powers
should be authorised by the Minister alone and not overseen by a
judge (04 December 2020). More...
Law Council raises grave concerns about lack of
safeguards in new ASIO powers
The Law Council of Australia is deeply concerned that the
compulsory questioning powers of ASIO are set to be significantly
expanded, without crucial safeguards and out of line with other
nations in the Five Eyes alliance. Law Council of Australia
President, said she was especially troubled by the proposal to
remove any form of judicial involvement from the process of issuing
these extraordinary warrants (04 December 2020). More...
Government response to the Comprehensive Review into
Intelligence Legislation (Richardson Review)
The Morrison Government released the unclassified version
of the Comprehensive Review of the Legal Framework of the National
Intelligence Community (Richardson Review), along with the
Government's response to the review (04 December 2020).
More...
National Emergency Declaration Bill
The Australian Government will be better able to respond
to major emergencies through a new legislated framework for
declaring national emergencies (03 December 2020). More...
Enhancing domestic violence protections for Family Court
users
The Morrison Government welcomes the launch of a $13.5
million pilot program which will enhance protections for families
entering the family law system who are at risk of domestic violence
(03 December 2020). More...
Let's not rush important Bills through
Parliament
The Law Council of Australia is calling on the government
to give key stakeholders and the Parliament time to scrutinize the
Surveillance Legislation Amendment (Identify and Disrupt) Bill
2020. A close inspection of the stated operational case, the
criteria, thresholds and process for the issuance of warrants, and
the arrangements for independent oversight and review is needed (03
December 2020). More...
New rules to detect, trace and block scam calls
The ACMA has registered new rules that require telcos to
detect, trace and block scam calls. The Reducing Scam Calls Code,
developed by the telco industry, was a direct recommendation of the
ACMA's Combating Scams Action Plan (02 December 2020). More...
New campaign urges Australians to protect themselves
against cybercrime
Australians are being urged to strengthen their cyber
defences and be alert to online threats through a new national
cyber security campaign. Australia's Cyber Security Strategy
2020 represents our nation's largest ever investment in cyber
security and expands the cyber security capabilities and assistance
provided through the Australian Signals Directorate and the ACSC
(02 December 2020). More...
Australia continues to combat foreign
cybercriminals
The Morrison Government is continuing to strike back
against offshore cybercriminals who are conducting COVID-19 related
malicious activities, through an operation being led by the
Australian Signals Directorate (ASD). "ASD is using its
offensive cyber capabilities to attack the cybercriminals'
tools - disrupting their operations and interrupting their ability
to exploit Australians (02 December 2020). More...
The legal profession has taken a hit over Lawyer X. Can
mandatory reporting fix it?
The Lawyer X royal commission found Nicola Gobbo breached
the fundamental rules at the heart of the legal profession. While
lawyers largely support the idea of mandatory reporting of
misconduct, some believe police should be subjected to the same
rules (01 December 2020). More...
COVIDSafe app captures closer contacts
The Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) has released an
update to the COVIDSafe app to improve Bluetooth communication
across a wide range of mobile devices (30 November 2020). More...
APSC serves up the State of the Service
The Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) has
released the findings from its latest and 23rd State of the Service
survey revealing the APS has adapted to significant change and
barriers arising over the past 12 months (30 November 2020).
More...
Publication of the Final Report of the Royal Commission
into the Management of Police Informants
The Australian Bar Association welcomes the publication of
the Final Report of the Royal Commission into the Management of
Police Informants (30 November 2020). More...
Family Court merger 'undesirable' for families,
former Family Court Chief Justices say
The government's bill to abolish the specialist,
stand-alone Family Court would have devastating impacts on families
and result in a significant loss of structural, systemic
specialisation, a coalition of stakeholders including the first and
second Chief Justices of the Family Court has warned (29 November
2020). More...
Gambling advertising monitoring program
During these first 12 months, the ACMA did not identify
any major issues with the operation of the broadcasting code
restrictions. However, because of some inconsistencies in providers
notifying scheduled start times, and issues with record-keeping
obligations, the ACMA decided to keep monitoring how the Online
Content Service Provider Rules (the Online Rules) operated for
another year (27 November 2020). More...
Independent National Security Legislation Monitor
appointed
Attorney-General Christian Porter announced the
substantive appointment of Mr Grant Donaldson SC as Australia's
fourth Independent National Security Legislation Monitor (INSLM)
(27 November 2020). More...
Shopping up a storm? Be aware of what you share
As we head into the holiday shopping season, consumers are
being reminded to safeguard personal information when making
purchases online (27 November 2020) More...
ACCC reports on COVID complainers
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)
has released new figures that show COVID-19-related consumer
reports make up the majority of the 109,446 complaints it received
in the first 10 months of this year (26 November 2020). More...
Census planners brought to their senses
Plans being made for the national Census in 2021 has been
declared 'partly effective' by the Australian National
Audit office following a performance audit, implementing past
Census recommendations and ensuring timely delivery of the 2021
Census (24 November 2020). More...
Fraud centre comes clean on new guide
The Commonwealth Fraud Prevention Centre has published a
new guide for Fraud Control Officers giving them a better
understanding of the fraud risk assessment process and how it can
benefit their organisations (24 November 2020) More...
Industry adopts People Strategy to build workplace
The Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
has published a new 'People Strategy 2020-2022' setting out
its plans for developing a highly performing, diverse and skilled
workforce that accepts a future that includes changes (24 November
2020). More...
Training on track for APS and Ministers staff
The Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) has
announced it is developing guidance and training to increase
understanding about the roles played by Ministerial offices and
those played by the Australian Public Service (APS) (24 November
2020). More...
COVID app privacy report good medicine
The Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy
Commissioner Angelene Falk, has released her first report on the
privacy protections in the COVIDSafe app. She said her office had
received 11 enquiries about COVIDSafe during the reporting period,
seven raising general issues or concern (24 November 2020).
More...
AHRC: New tools for fairer AI
A ground-breaking new technical paper demonstrates how
businesses can identify algorithmic bias in artificial intelligence
(AI), and proposes steps they can take to address this problem.
With companies increasingly using AI for decision making in
everything from pricing to recruitment, Addressing the problem of
algorithmic bias explores how these decision-making systems can
result in unfairness (24 November 2020). More...
OAIC issues first 6-month COVIDSafe privacy report
Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy
Commissioner Angelene Falk has released the first 6-month report on
the privacy protections in the COVIDSafe app (23 November 2020).
More...
Queensland
Revocation of stand down
A senior constable from Legal Division who was stood down
from official duty with the Queensland Police Service will now
return to operational duties. The officer is likely to face
disciplinary proceedings for inappropriately accessing information
(03 December 2020). More...
Clive Palmer could be forced to pay millions more after
election spend
The Electoral Commission of Queensland has filed an
application in the Supreme Court asking for a ruling on whether
former federal MP Mr Palmer is a property developer, and therefore
banned from donating to Queensland political parties or candidates
(03 December 2020). More...
Pair charged following CCC investigation into Gold Coast
law firm
A prominent Gold Coast lawyer and his girlfriend have been
hit with serious criminal charges following a major Crime and
Corruption Commission investigation into the activities of his law
firm (02 December 2020). More...
2020 Budget caring for Queensland communities
Attorney- General, Minister for Justice, Minister for
Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family
Violence Shannon Fentiman said this years budget delivers for
vulnerable women and families as well as ensuring we continue to
have a strong legal system (01 December 2020). More...
Intermediaries to assist vulnerable witnesses to give
their best evidence
Applications are sought from Queensland's allied
health professionals to become intermediaries-to facilitate
communication between a vulnerable witness and police and/or a
vulnerable witness and courts.
Initially the Queensland Intermediary Scheme program will be
piloted in two locations-Brisbane and Cairns-from July 2021 (30
November 2020). More...
New death data check to help business fight identity
fraud
A new national death data service to help businesses
protect against identity fraud and reduce the burden on grieving
families is being administered by Queensland's Registry of
Births, Deaths and Marriages (24 November 2020). More...
In practice and courts
Adoption of Law Council of Australia's Trilogy of
Mediation Guidelines
The Bar Council has resolved to adopt the Law Council of
Australia's Trilogy of Mediation Guidelines - the Guidelines
for Parties in Mediations, Guidelines for Lawyers in Mediations and
Ethical Guidelines for Mediators.
The Guidelines for Parties in Mediations, Guidelines for Lawyers in
Mediations and Ethical Guidelines for Mediators are a useful
resource for ADR Barrister practitioners and their clients. The
Guidelines can be accessed here (04 December 2020).
AAT bulletin
The AAT Bulletin is a weekly publication containing a list
of recent AAT decisions and information relating to appeals against
AAT decisions, including immigration and citizenship
Issue No. 29/2020 (30 November 2020). More...
The Family Court of Australia and Federal Circuit Court
of Australia - Lighthouse Project update
The Family Law Amendment (Risk Screening Protections) Bill
2020 legislation provides an important framework and enables the
Courts to progress the very important new family-violence and risk
screening initiative, the Lighthouse Project. For enquiries please
email the Courts here. More information about the project
is here (updated 03 December 2020)
Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) Consultation:
The Digital Identity Legislation Consultation
Paper
The paper outlines key issues surrounding the development
of the legislation and poses specific questions about its design,
scope and content. The closing date for submissions is 18 December
and readers interested in making a submission can access the
Digital Identity Consultation Page here.
Commonwealth Integrity Commission: consultation
draft
The Australian Government has released an exposure draft
of legislation to establish the new Commonwealth Integrity
Commission (CIC) and make other consequences legislative
amendments. A fact sheet about the key features of the
CIC has also been released. The consultation page includes links to the
draft legislation and further information about other issues under
consideration. Closing date 12 February 2021
Attorney General Reminder: Privacy Act Review Issues
Paper
Public submissions on the Issues Paper would be accepted
until 29 November 2020. The Attorney-General's Privacy Act
Review Issues Paper, including information on how to have a say,
can be accessed here.
Consultation on proposed new conduct rule
The Law Council of Australia has released a consultation
paper proposing that a new rule 11A be added to the Australian
Solicitors' Conduct Rules. The proposed rule clarifies how
existing ethical principles relating to conflicts of interest may
be applied when providing short-term legal assistance services.
More...
LCA Submissions
04 December 2020- Law Council
Agribusiness industry consultation and the
Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (Cth)
02 December 2020- Legal Practice
Requiring Deductible Gift Recipients (DGRs) to
Register as Charities
02 December 2020- Law Council
Information sharing between the family law and
criminal justice and child protection systems
02 December 2020- Law Council
Death and Taxes Review - Consultation with the
Legal Profession
27 November 2020- Law Council
Exposure Draft Security Legislation Amendment
(Critical Infrastructure) Bill 2020
OAIC Consultation: Requirements to collect
personal information for contact tracing purposes
The OAIC and state and territory privacy regulators have
produced the following draft guidelines to support a nationally
consistent approach to requirements for businesses and venues to
collect contact information. The closing date for comments is 4
December 2020. More...
ACMA Consultation: draft Broadcasting Services
(Australian Content and Children's Television) Standards
2020
The consultation focuses on practical implementation and
drafting issues relating to the program standards, and closes on 7
December. Feedback will then be considered, with the new standards
planned to begin on 1 January 2021 (19 November 2020). More...
ACMA: Proposed service standards for superfast fixed
broadband services - consultation 33/2020
We are proposing new rules for carriage service providers
(CSPs) to improve the experience of consumers using superfast fixed
broadband services. More...
ACMA position paper: Misinformation and news quality on
digital platforms in Australia
A position paper to guide code development-includes a
model code framework for consideration, including objectives and
outcomes to be achieved for the benefit of Australian users of
digital platforms. The ACMA anticipates to have in place a single,
industry-wide code by December 2020. The position paper, Misinformation and news quality on digital
platforms in Australia - A position paper to guide code
development has been published on the ACMA website.
ACMA reminder, NBN consumer experience rules
ACMA has enhanced NBN
consumer experience rules to protect Australians during
the final phase of the NBN migration. The enhancements have been
made to the following rules: Service
Continuity Standard; Service
Migration Determination; Consumer
Information Standard; Complaints Handling Standard. The enhancements
to the Service Continuity Standard and Service Migration
Determination will start on 14 December 2020, while most
enhancements to the Complaints Handling Standard and Consumer
Information Standard will start on 1 April 2021. More...
Current Consultations
Finance and Public Administration References
Committee
New - The current capability of the Australian Public
Service (APS)
Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation
Committee
New - Judges' Pensions Amendment (Pension Not Payable
for Misconduct) Bill 2020
Legal and Constitutional Affairs References
Committee
Nationhood, national identity and
democracy
On 31 August 2020 the committee's reporting date was extended
to 8 December 2020.
Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee
Consultations
Intelligence and Security Legislation Amendment
(Implementing Independent Intelligence Review) Bill 2020
On 6 October 2020 the Senate extended the committee's reporting
date to 9 December 2020.
LSC: Regulation of litigation funding schemes
The Legal Services Council has amended the Legal
Profession Uniform General Rules 2015 with effect from 22 August
2020 so the prohibitions in s 258(1) and (3) of the Legal
Profession Uniform Law do not apply in relation to litigation
funding schemes now regulated as managed investment schemes. The
new rule will operate for 12 months to allow for consultation
click here.
Australian Bushfires Disaster Emergency Declaration -
Understanding your privacy obligations
The Attorney-General has made the Privacy (Australian Bushfires Disaster) Emergency
Declaration (No. 1) 2020 (the emergency declaration) under
Part VIA of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Privacy Act). The emergency
declaration was made in response to bushfires in Australia
resulting in death, injury and property damage occurring from
August 2019 into 2020.The emergency declaration expires on 20
January 2021.
Queensland
P&E Practice Direction No 2 of 2020
Planning and Environment Court Practice Direction
No 2 of 2020 issued by the Chief Judge, 2 December
2020
CCC Investigations
Two people charged following CCC investigation
into Gold Coast law firm 02 December 2020
Six people charged with more than 300 offences
following major crime investigation into a law firm 25
November 2020
OIC Qld Submissions
Submission to Office of the National Data
Commissioner
December 1, 2020 - The OIC provided a submission to the Office of
the National Data Commissioner's consultation on the Exposure
draft of the Data Availability and Transparency Bill 2020.
OIC Qld: Requirements to collect personal information
for contact tracing purposes
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, state and territory
health authorities have required some businesses to collect
personal information from their patrons as a condition of
re-opening. Currently state and territory orders have some common
requirements, but other requirements differ (23 November 2020).
More...
OIC Queensland: Human Rights month 2020
Human Rights Month (to 10 December) is an annual
campaign run by the Queensland Human Rights Commission to highlight
the importance of protecting and promoting human rights (03
November 2020). More...
Updating self-assessments for financial statement
preparation maturity
QAO Advice: 04 November 2020
This year, we worked with state government entities and some larger
local governments as they undertook an initial self-assessment of
their financial statementt preparation processes using the maturity
model on our website. The self-assessment has provided insights
into areas of strength and improvement for each of our clients.
More...
QAO Reports
Regulating firearms
QAO: tabled 27 November 2020
This audit assessed whether the Queensland Police Service
effectively regulates the acquisition, possession, use and disposal
of registered firearms to ensure community safety. More...
Queensland Law Reform Commission Consultation Paper -
a legal framework for voluntary assisted dying
The Queensland Law Reform Commission is seeking feedback
on the Consultation Paper "A legal framework for voluntary assisted
dying". The Consultation Paper explores a legal framework
for voluntary assisted dying. The purpose of the Consultation Paper
is not to consider the desirability or otherwise of introducing
voluntary assisted dying legislation in Queensland. For more
information please see the consultation page and the terms of reference.
Department of the Premier and Cabinet Consultation
Annual report 2019-20 feedback survey
By taking a minute to complete this survey, you will help
us improve our annual reports so readers can use them more
effectively. Open until 30 June 2021. More...
COVID-19 Update on Courts, Commissions, Tribunals
See current COVID-19 updates for the Courts, Commissions
and Tribunals here.
Additionally, QLS also provides COVID-19 updates specifically
relating to property law and criminal law.
Published - articles, papers, reports
Management of the Australian Public Service's
Workforce Response to COVID-19
ANAO: 01 December 2020
The audit objective was to assess the effectiveness of the
management of the Australian Public Service (APS) workforce in
implementing the Australian Government's COVID-19 priorities.
More...
2019-20 Major projects report
ANAO: 30 November 2020
Increased transparency and accountability on progress with major
Defence equipment acquisitions has been a focus of parliamentary
interest for some time. The objective of this report was to provide
the Auditor-General's independent assurance over the status of
the selected major projects. More...
Australian Institute of Judicial Administration (AJIA)
newsletter
The AIJA produces a regular newsletter, the most recent of
which is available to read here.
Law Council update
The Law Council produces a fortnightly newsletter which
highlights the Law Council's important activities and advocacy,
along with any relevant media and events stakeholders would be
interested in. More...
Cases
Montenegro v Secretary, Department of
Education [2020] FCAFC
210
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW - decision of Administrative Appeals Tribunal -
decision not made "in accordance with" published
Guidelines PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE - application to amend notice of
appeal - a new argument on appeal - leave granted ADMINISTRATIVE
LAW - adequacy of reasons Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975
(Cth) ss 43, 44
Registered Organisations Commissioner v
Australian Workers' Union [2020]
FCAFC 202
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW - Appeal from a decision of the primary judge to
uphold an application for judicial review of a decision of a
delegate of the Registered Organisations Commissioner to conduct an
investigation as to whether civil penalty provisions had been
contravened - consideration of the state of mind required in order
to exercise the power to conduct an investigation pursuant to s
331(2) of the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 (Cth) -
whether an exercise of the power in s 331(2) is conditioned on a
state of mind of a suspicion that there has been a contravention of
a civil penalty provision - whether the delegate held the requisite
state of mind in order to exercise the power in s 331(2) -
delegate's state of mind was that there were reasonable grounds
to conduct an investigation - delegate not required to suspect that
there had been contraventions of civil penalty provisions
STATUTORY INTERPRETATION - whether possible contraventions which
occurred prior to the amendment of the Act that established the
Commissioner and changed the means of identifying civil penalty
provisions could be the subject of an investigation under s 331(2)
- where liability for a pecuniary penalty for a contravention of a
civil penalty provision was not affected by the amendment of the
Act - the power to investigate in respect of possible
contraventions before the amendment of the Act was not affected by
the amendment - the delegate did not exceed his jurisdiction by
exercising the power to investigate in respect of possible
contraventions which occurred before the amendment of the Act
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW - whether interaction between the Minister and
the delegate before the delegate's decision gave rise to
jurisdictional error - where there was no challenge to the primary
judge's finding that referral letters from the Minister to the
delegate were not a material and operative reason for the
delegate's decision - s 329FA of the Act does not prohibit
communication between the Minister and the Commissioner - the
interaction between the Minister and the delegate did not give rise
to jurisdictional error - appeal allowed
Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth) ss 2, 7; Administrative
Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 (Cth) s 5
Evidence Act 1995 (Cth) s 38
Melbourne City Council v Telstra
Corporation Limited [2020] FCAFC
200
COMMUNICATIONS LAW - whether New Payphone Cabinets are
"low-impact facilities" within the meaning of clause 6 of
Sch 3 to the Telecommunications Act 1997 (Cth) exempt from planning
laws - where Telstra sought planning approval to display commercial
advertising on New Payphone Cabinets - where New Payphone Cabinets
to be installed only after planning approval to display commercial
advertising obtained - whether primary judge erred in concluding
that the New Payphone Cabinets are "low-impact
facilities" - appeal allowed with costs
Virginia Plowman and Australian
Securities and Investments Commission (Freedom of
information) [2020] AICmr
59
Freedom of Information - Whether reasonable steps taken to locate
documents - Whether disclosure would have a substantial adverse
effect on the management or assessment of personnel - Whether
contrary to public interest to release conditionally exempt
documents - Whether material in document irrelevant to the request
- (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 ss 11A(5), 22, 24A and
47E(c)
Wade v J Daniels and Associates Pty
Ltd [2020] FCA 1708
CONSUMER LAW - services supplied to a consumer facing foreclosure
on a home loan mortgage - alleged breach of contract and failure to
comply with consumer guarantees - alleged misleading and deceptive
conduct - alleged unconscionable conduct - nature and scope of
services supplied - where the consumer disclosed to the supplier
that the purpose of seeking services was to retain her home -
whether supplier agreed or represented that its services would
provide consumer with a long term solution that would enable the
consumer to retain her home - whether supplier agreed or
represented that supplier would procure a refinance of the
consumer's home loan - whether supplier knew that consumer
would be unable to maintain loan repayments and that the
supplier's services would not prevent the bank from taking
possession of the consumer's home - whether the removal of a
credit impairment from the consumer's credit file provided any
benefit to the consumer in retaining her home
PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE - application to re-open case after judgment
reserved - applicable principles - application refused
STATUTORY INTERPRETATION - meaning of the phrase "financial
services" in s 12BAB of the Australian Securities and
Investments Commission Act 2001 (Cth) - whether a service involving
negotiations with a bank to defer recovery action and to agree
temporary reductions in repayments is a financial service
Herron v HarperCollins Publishers
Australia Pty Ltd (No 3) [2020] FCA
1687
DEFAMATION - alleged defamations arising from chapter in second
respondent's book published by first respondent - where
imputations relate to applicants' conduct in respect of the
administration of deep sleep therapy at Chelmsford Private Hospital
- where imputations based on findings of Royal Commission - whether
defences of justification, qualified privilege, contextual truth
and fair report/fair summary apply - defences applied to conveyed
imputations - applications dismissed
Defamation Act 2005 (NSW) ss 8, 25, 26, 28, 28(1)(b), 28(4), 29,
29(1), 29(4), 30, 30(1)(a), 30(1)(b), 30(1)(c), 30(3), 30(3)(a),
30(3)(b), 30(3)(c), 30(3)(d), 30(3)(e), 30(3)(f), 30(3)(g),
30(3)(h), 30(30)(i), 30(3)(j), 30(4)
Evidence Act 1995 (Cth) s 135
Legislation
Commonwealth
Acts
Services Australia Governance Amendment Act
2020
26/11/2020 - Act No. 104 of 2020 as made
National Disability Insurance Scheme
Amendment (Strengthening Banning Orders) Act
2020
26/11/2020 - Act No. 103 of 2020 as made
Family Law Amendment (Risk Screening
Protections) Act 2020
25/11/2020 - Act No. 98 of 2020 as made
Bills
Australia's Foreign Relations (State
and Territory Arrangements) (Consequential Amendments) Bill
2020
HR Consideration of Senate message - House disagreed to Senate
amendment 03 Dec 2020
Consequential on the Australia's Foreign Relations (State and
Territory Arrangements) Bill 2020, the bill amends the
Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 to provide that
decisions made under the Australia's Foreign Relations (State
and Territory Arrangements) Act 2020 are not subject to judicial
review; and Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 to
authorise the disclosure of protected information.
Australia's Foreign Relations (State
and Territory Arrangements) Bill 2020
Finally passed both Houses 03 Dec 2020
Introduced with the Australia's Foreign Relations (State and
Territory Arrangements) (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2020, the
bill establishes a legislative scheme for Commonwealth engagement
with arrangements between State or Territory governments and
foreign governments, and their associated entities.
Electoral Amendment (Territory
Representation) Bill 2020
Senate 03 December 2020 - The
Electoral Amendment (Territory
Representation) Bill 2020 amends the
Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918
to provide more equitable representation,
through changes to the method
for determining the number of House
of Representatives members for the Northern Territory and the
Australian Capital Territory
Regulations
Commonwealth Procurement
Rules
02/112020 - The updated Commonwealth Procurement Rules reflect the
Australian Government's commitment to sustainable procurement
practices; emphasise the importance of paying suppliers on time,
particularly small businesses; and includes a new Appendix A
exemption that allows for the direct engagement of a Small and
Medium Enterprise for procurements up to $200,000.
This update also includes a number of minor amendments
comprising: acknowledgment of the Australian Governments
reporting obligations under the Modern Slavery Act 2018
Law Enforcement Integrity Commissioner
Amendment (Law Enforcement Agencies) Regulations
2020
27/11/2020 - This instrument amends
the Law Enforcement Integrity Commissioner Regulations 2017 to
expand the jurisdiction of the Australian Commission for Law
Enforcement Integrity over four additional Commonwealth government
agencies.
Queensland
Bills
COVID-19 Emergency Response and Other Legislation
Amendment Bill 2020
Introduced by: Hon S Fentiman MP on 26/11/2020
Stage reached: 2nd reading adjourned on 1/12/2020
The objectives of the Bill include:
Extend the operation of all COVID-19 related legislation which is
still required to respond to the impacts of
the COVID-19 emergency until 30 April
2021 or an earlier date to be prescribed by
regulation(referred to as the 'COVID-19 legislation expiry
day'throughout).
Extend the temporary operation of the QSBC; amend the Youth Justice Act 1992(YJ Act) to allow the chief executive (youth justice) to delegate his or her powers to appropriately qualified temporary detention centre employees in the event of a future COVID-19 outbreak.
Amend the Electoral Act 1992 to provide flexibility, if required, to facilitate the holding of a by-election in a way that helps minimise serious risks to the health and safety of persons caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Amend the process for filling a vacancy in the office of a mayor or councillor that arises during the period starting on a quadrennial election and ending on the day before the first anniversary of the election.
Criminal Code (Consent and Mistake of Fact) and
Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2020
Introduced by: Hon S Fentiman MP on 26/11/2020
Stage reached: Referred to Committee on 26/11/2020
Disability Services and Other Legislation (Worker
Screening) Amendment Bill 2020
Introduced by: Hon C Crawford MP on 26/11/2020
Stage reached: 2nd reading to be moved on 26/11/2020
Subordinate legislation reminder
No 144 Electoral Amendment Regulation 2020
5 Amendment of s 8 (Amount of policy development payment to which
eligible registered political party is entitled-Act, s 240) (1)
Section 5 commences on 1 January 2022
This publication does not deal with every important topic or change in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you have found this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances please contact one of the named individuals listed.
