weekly hansard - Queensland Parliament - Queensland Government

23 Aug 2005 Environmental Protection and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2585
• A non-discretionary suspension of registration when charged with a serious sexual offence, until the independent
disciplinary committee determines whether continued suspension is necessary to ensure the protection of children.
• A mandatory requirement of all schools to advise the College when it undertakes an investigation into allegations of
"harm" to a child and subsequently, the outcomes of the investigation.
In the situation where a registration is suspended the teacher will be provided with the opportunity to show the Teachers
Disciplinary Committee that the matter is an exceptional case in which the best interests of the children would not be harmed if the
suspension were ended.
The Bill also has enhanced appeal provisions which provide for the internal review of a range of decisions made by the College
through a review committee process.
The College will also be able to obtain relevant criminal history reports, police investigative information and other information. It
will have the power to allow the police to regularly check new police information against the names of those registered, but it also
incorporates a range of protections regarding the use of the information it receives.
These provisions are necessary to ensure individuals are suitable in a profession that has a close, ongoing association with
children.
The Bill contains a mandatory requirement that all schools notify the College of any dismissals of teachers on the ground of
incompetence.
Mr Speaker, our Government has demonstrated a strong commitment to the children of Queensland and to advancing the
professional standards in teaching. The Queensland College of Teachers Bill 2005 is another significant step.
The Bill will support a profession that needs to be responsive to a changing environment, and ensure that public confidence in the
profession is, and remains high in the Smart State.
I commend the Bill to the House.
Debate, on motion of Mr Messenger, adjourned.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL
First Reading
Hon. D BOYLE (Cairns—ALP) (Minister for Environment, Local Government, Planning and
Women) (12.57 pm): I present a bill for an act to amend the Environmental Protection Act 1994, and for
other purposes. I present the explanatory notes, and I move—
That the bill be now read a first time.
Motion agreed to.
Second Reading
Hon. D BOYLE (Cairns—ALP) (Minister for Environment, Local Government, Planning and
Women) (12.57 pm): I move—
That the bill be now read a second time.
The Environmental Protection and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2005 makes
essential amendments to several pieces of environmental legislation in Queensland. As foreshadowed
by the government in June, this bill allows for the staged rehabilitation of working mines. When mining
activity ceases in one section it can be rehabilitated while another area of the mine is worked. With this
approach the impact on the environment is lessened and the company will have certainty of its
responsibilities through a certification process.
Amendments to the Environmental Protection Act 1994 will assure mining companies that
rehabilitation requirements will not change for those areas where rehabilitation has been completed
early in the life of a mining project. These changes to mining regulations have been undertaken in
response to requests from the mining industry for legislative certainty on rehabilitation, and this is being
delivered. I seek leave to have the remainder of my second reading speech incorporated in Hansard.
Leave granted.
The reforms will provide greater certainty to the industry and encourage mining companies to speed up their rehabilitation
schedules so more sites can become conservation or farming areas sooner.
Each year more than $50 million is spent on mine rehabilitation in Queensland, and more spending on progressive rehabilitation
will create job opportunities in regional, rural and remote Queensland.
The bill provides for companies to provide additional financial security to the government to ensure taxpayers do not foot the bill if
rehabilitation fails or is not completed.
The Bill also provides for minor amendments to the Environmental Protection Act 1994 to ensure there is an adequate response to
submissions and clearer time frames in the environmental impact assessment process.
Mr Speaker, as a further example of the Government implementing its commitments this Bill provides for the continued access by
horse riders to some future national parks (recovery) in South East Queensland up until 24 November 2013 whilst alternative trails
are identified.
This delivers on our promise to recreational horse riders to minimise impacts whilst alternative trails are identified and developed.
We are also delivering on our promise to reduce red tape by removing the need for a permit to traverse.