Newsflash
Sex work industry review—The Queensland Law Reform Commission has completed its report on a framework for a decriminalised sex work industry in Queensland. The report was tabled on 24 April 2024. The 2-volume report, entitled A decriminalised sex-work industry for Queensland (Report No 80), a report summary and a report overview can be downloaded here.
Sex work industry review—On 11 April 2022, the Commission released a Consultation Paper (WP No 80), A framework for a decriminalised sex work industry in Queensland. We invite written submissions in response to the questions asked in the paper. The closing date for submissions is 3 June 2022.
Sex work industry review—On 27 August 2021, the Commission received Terms of reference from the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Minister for Women, and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, to make recommendations for a framework to regulate a decriminalised sex work industry in Queensland and to prepare draft legislation to give effect to its recommendations.
Voluntary assisted dying review—
As previewed in the Commission's Review Update issued on 10 May 2021, the Commission's Report No 79 (and the draft Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2021 - Appendix F to the Report) and Report Summary have been tabled in the Parliament. They and a short document that explains A legal framework for voluntary assisted dying in Queensland in a few pages of words and diagrams can be accessed below:
- Full Report No 79
- Draft Bill
- Report Summary
- A legal framework for voluntary assisted dying in Queensland (4 page summary)
The Hon Justice Peter Applegarth AM
Chair
Queensland Law Reform Commission
18 May 2021
Voluntary assisted dying review—
On 10 May 2021, the Commission submitted to the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Minister for Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, its final report (Report No 79), A legal framework for voluntary assisted dying, together with its draft Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2021—which gives effect to the Commission’s recommendations. The Law Reform Commission Act 1968 provides that the Report (and Draft Bill) must be tabled in Parliament within 14 sitting days of receipt. Until such time, please see the Commission’s A legal framework for voluntary assisted dying - Review update (May 2021).
Voluntary assisted dying review – On 24 February 2021, the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Minister for Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, tabled in Parliament the Commission’s review update for A legal framework for Voluntary assisted dying.
Voluntary assisted dying review—Queensland Law Reform Commission review to develop Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation: the path ahead to complete this complex review.
On 16 October 2020, the Commission released a consultation paper (WP No 79), A legal framework for voluntary assisted dying. It invites written submissions in response to the questions posed in the paper. The closing date for submissions is 27 November 2020.
New Chair and members appointed to the Queensland Law Reform Commission — On 31 July 2020, the Hon Justice Peter Applegarth AM was appointed as Chairperson of the Queensland Law Reform Commission. On 17 September 2020, His Honour Judge Anthony Rafter SC, Ms Penelope White, Mr Mark Hinson QC, Ms Clare Endicott, and Ms Constance Johnson were appointed as part-time members of the Commission. For more information click here.
Consent and the excuse of mistake of fact review—On 31 July 2020, the Commission's final report for this review, Report No 78, Review of consent laws and the excuse of mistake of fact was tabled in Parliament.
Civil surveillance and privacy review—On 29 June 2020, the Commission's final report for this review, Report No 77, Review of Queensland’s laws relating to civil surveillance and the protection of privacy in the context of current and emerging technologies was tabled in Parliament.
Voluntary assisted dying review—On 21 May 2020, the Acting Attorney-General, Minister for Justice and Leader of the House, gave the Commission terms of reference to develop an appropriate legislative scheme for voluntary assisted dying for Queensland and to prepare draft legislation to give effect to its recommendations. The Commission is to commence the review on 1 July 2020 and to provide its final report and draft legislation by 1 March 2021.
Consent and the excuse of mistake of fact review—On 20 December 2019, the Commission released a Consultation Paper (WP No 78), Review of consent laws and the excuse of mistake of fact outlining the legal issues in the review and inviting written submissions in response to the questions posed in the paper. The closing date for submissions is 31 January 2020.
Consent and the excuse of mistake of fact review—On 2 September 2019, the Commission received Terms of reference from the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Leader of the House, to conduct a review and investigation into the definition of consent in section 348 in Chapter 32 of the Criminal Code and the operation of the excuse of mistake of fact under section 24 of the Criminal Code as it applies to Chapter 32.
Civil surveillance and privacy review—On 21 December 2018, the Commission released a Consultation Paper (WP No 77), Review of Queensland’s laws relating to civil surveillance and the protection of privacy in the context of current and emerging technologies, outlining the legal issues in the review and inviting written submissions in response to the specific questions posed in the paper. The closing date for submissions is 31 January 2019.
Termination of pregnancy review—On 17 October 2018, the Termination of Pregnancy Bill 2018 was passed by the Parliament. The Bill gives effect to the Commission's recommendations in Report No 76. The legislation commenced on 3 December 2018. The Explanatory Notes to the Bill are available here.
Termination of pregnancy review—On 22 August 2018, the Termination of Pregnancy Bill 2018 was introduced into Parliament by the Attorney-General, Minister for Justice and Leader of the House, Yvette D'Ath. The Bill reflects the Commission's recommendations in Report No 76, Review of termination of pregnancy laws. The Bill has been referred to the Health, Communities, Disability Services and Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Committee (the HCDSDFVPC) for detailed consideration. The HCDSDFVPC's Report No. 11 was tabled in Parliament on 5 October 2018. The Explanatory Notes to the Bill are available here.
Civil surveillance and privacy review—On 24 July 2018, the Attorney-General, Minister for Justice and Leader of the House, gave the Commission terms of reference to conduct a review and investigation into the issue of modernising Queensland's laws relating to civil surveillance and the protection of privacy in the context of current and emerging technologies.
Workplace surveillance review—On 24 July 2018, the Attorney-General, Minister for Justice and Leader of the House, gave the Commission terms of reference to conduct a review and investigation into the issue of privacy protections for workers in the context of current and emerging surveillance devices in workplaces.
Termination of pregnancy review—On 16 July 2018, the Commission's final report for this review, Report No 76, Review of termination of pregnancy laws was tabled in Parliament.
Termination of pregnancy review—On 21 December 2017, the Commission released a Consultation Paper (WP No 76) outlining the legal issues raised in the review and inviting written submissions on the questions asked in the paper. The closing date for submissions is 13 February 2018.
Domestic violence disclosure scheme review—On 25 October 2017, the Commission's final report for this review, Report No 75, Domestic violence disclosure scheme, was tabled in Parliament.
Expunging historical gay sex convictions review—On 10 October 2017 the Criminal Law (Historical Homosexual Convictions Expungement) Bill 2017 was passed with amendment by the Parliament. The Act largely gives effect to the Commission's recommendations in Report No 74. The Act will commence upon proclamation.
Guardianship laws review—On 5 September 2017, the Guardianship and Administration and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2017 was introduced into Parliament by the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice. The Bill implements a number of the Commission's recommendations in Report No 67 (tabled in Parliament in 2010). It aims to strengthen the focus on contemporary practice and human rights for adults with impaired capacity, enhance safeguards for adults with impaired capacity, improve the efficiency of Queensland’s guardianship system, and the clarity of Queensland's guardianship legislation. The Bill has been referred to the Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee. The Committee is required to report on the Bill by 2 November 2017.
Termination of pregnancy review—On 19 June 2017, the Commission received terms of reference from the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Training and Skills, to conduct a review and investigation into the issue of modernising Queensland’s laws relating to the termination of pregnancy.
Expunging historical gay sex convictions review—On 11 May 2017, the Criminal Law (Historical Homosexual Convictions Expungement) Bill 2017 was introduced into Parliament by The Hon Yvette D'Ath MP, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Training and Skills. The Bill largely gives effect to the Commission's recommendations in Report No 74. The Bill has been referred to the Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee for report by 14 July 2017.
Domestic violence disclosure scheme review—Consultation Dates—The Commission will be consulting in various locations around the State in early 2017. As part of its consultation process, Commission staff will be available to meet privately with individuals who may have an interest in the review. For details of the Commission’s consultation process, including information about dates, venues and times for consultation, click here.
Domestic violence disclosure scheme review—On 12 December 2016 the Queensland Law Reform Commission released a Consultation Paper (WP75) seeking submissions on whether a domestic violence disclosure scheme should be introduced in Queensland. The closing date for submissions is 3 February 2017. The Consultation Paper is available under ‘Publications’ at http://www.qlrc.qld.gov.au/publications#2
Expunging historical gay sex convictions review—On 29 November 2016, the Commission's final report for this review, Report No 74, Expunging criminal convictions for historical gay sex offences, was tabled in Parliament.
Child protection mandatory reporting review—The Child Protection (Mandatory Reporting — Mason's Law) Amendment Act 2016 was assented to on 23 September 2016. The Act gives effect to the Commission's recommendation in Report No 73 that mandatory reporting obligations under the Child Protection Act 1999 (Qld) be expanded to include the early childhood education and care sector. The new mandatory reporting obligations will take effect from 1 July 2017.
Domestic violence disclosure scheme review—On 20 July 2016, the Attorney-General gave the Commission terms of reference to conduct a review and investigation into the introduction of a domestic violence disclosure scheme in Queensland.
Neighbourhood disputes review—On 11 May 2016, the Commission's final report for this review, Report No 72, Review of the Neighbourhood Disputes (Dividing Fences and Trees) Act 2011, was tabled in Parliament.
Child protection mandatory reporting review—On 9 May 2016, the Government released its response to the Commission's final report. Read the Queensland Government response to Report No 73.
Child protection mandatory reporting review—On 25 February 2016, the Commission's final report for this review, Report No 73, Review of Child Mandatory Reporting Laws for the Early Childhood Education and Care Sector, was tabled in Parliament.
