Legal Issues in Queensland

On behalf of Queensland lawyers, QLS encourages campaign parties to consider and respond to priority issues identified by our members. QLS and Legal Aid Queensland worked together to develop a framework to help lawyers and non-lawyers provide services to those affected by domestic and family violence. QLS publishes policy positions on legal issues deemed important to the Queensland legal profession. The purpose of these positions is to make a public statement outlining QLS` commitments in areas such as human rights, the rule of law, procedural fairness and access to justice. Consent and excuse for erroneous fact-checking – On 20 December 2019, the Commission published a consultation paper (WP No. 78), the review of consent legislation and the excuse of factual error, in which the legal issues were set out in the review and invited to provide written comments on the questions posed in the paper. The registration deadline is January 31, 2020. Our political committees are the machine rooms for QLS policy and government advocacy. Members from various branches of the legal profession generously bring their valuable expertise to advise the QLS Council on legal reform issues and prepare submissions advocating for good law in Queensland.

The Law Society`s 30 legal policy committees deal with policy and legislative proposals, as well as matters of legal practice and procedure. We provide input to key stakeholders such as government, opposition, research and the judiciary on issues important to Queensland lawyers. On 16 October 2020, the Commission published a consultation paper (WP No. 79) entitled A legal framework for voluntary euthanasia. It calls for written comments to address the issues raised in the document. The registration deadline is November 27, 2020. Review of Voluntary Euthanasia – On May 10, 2021, the Commission submitted its final report (Report No. 79) “A Legal Framework for Voluntary Euthanasia” to the Attorney General and the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Status of Women and the Minister of Domestic and Family Violence Prevention, as well as its 2021 Voluntary Euthanasia Bill, which implements the Commission`s recommendations. The Law Reform Commission Act 1968 requires that the report (and the bill) be submitted to Parliament within 14 sitting days of receipt. In the meantime, see the Commission`s update entitled A Legal Framework for Voluntary Assistance in Dying – Review (May 2021). Review of Voluntary Euthanasia – As presented in the Commission`s updated review of 10 May 2021, Commission Report No. 79 (and the Voluntary Euthanasia Bill 2021 – Annex F of the report) and the summary of the report were submitted to Parliament.

They and a short document explaining a legal framework for voluntary euthanasia in Queensland in a few pages with words and diagrams can be found below: – Full report No. 79 – Bill – Report Summary – A Legal Framework for Voluntary Euthanasia in Queensland (4-page summary) Legal policy services are among the most important that the Queensland Law Society provides to the legal profession and the community. Review of Voluntary Euthanasia – On February 24, 2021, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, the Minister of Women and the Minister of Domestic and Family Violence Prevention submitted to Parliament an update to the Commission`s review on a legal framework for voluntary euthanasia. The Queensland Law Society and its members are actively committed to making justice more accessible to the Queensland community. This includes the release of the important QLS Access to Justice Scorecard Survey and Reports. QLS has long campaigned to increase funding for the legal aid sector. Abortion Review – On 19 June 2017, the Commission received a mandate from the Attorney General, the Minister of Justice and the Minister for Training and Qualifications to conduct a review and inquiry into the issue of modernising Queensland`s abortion legislation. In the footsteps of your family tree? Our online index of births, deaths and marriages is a great place to start. It`s free to search, easy to use, and anyone can order copies of historical documents.

Guardianship Laws Review – On September 5, 2017, the Act to amend the Guardianship and Administration Act, 2017 and other Acts was introduced in Parliament by the Attorney General and the Minister of Justice. The draft law implements a number of the Commission`s recommendations in Report No. 67 (presented to Parliament in 2010). It aims to place greater emphasis on contemporary practice and the human rights of adults with limited capacity, improve the protection of adults with limited capacity, improve the effectiveness of Queensland`s guardianship system and clarify Queensland`s guardianship legislation. The bill was referred back to the Community`s Committee on Legal Affairs and Security. The commission is required to report on the bill by November 2, 2017. Voluntary Euthanasia Review – Queensland Law Reform Commission review to develop voluntary euthanasia legislation: how to carry out this complex review. The Commission makes recommendations for legislative reform in reports to the Attorney General for submission to Parliament.

Introduction of Chinese Zodiac Commemorative Certificates! Available for Queenslanders of all ages. Review of Voluntary Euthanasia – On 21 May 2020, the Acting Attorney General, Minister of Justice and Speaker of the House of Representatives instructed the Commission to develop an appropriate legislative system for voluntary euthanasia for Queensland and to draft legislation to implement its recommendations. The Commission must start the review on 1 July 2020 and present its final report and draft legislation by 1 March 2021. Review of Mandatory Child Protection Reports – The Child Protection (Reporting Obligation – Masonic Act) Amendment Act 2016 was passed on 23 September 2016. The Act implements the Commission`s recommendation in Report No. 73 to extend mandatory reporting requirements under the Child Protection Act 1999 (Qld) to the area of early childhood education and care. The new reporting requirements will come into effect on July 1, 2017. This website provides online access to the latest Commission publications. They may also send replies to Commission documents electronically.

Domestic Violence Disclosure System Review – On 20 July 2016, the Attorney General instructed the Commission to conduct a review and inquiry into the introduction of a domestic violence disclosure system in Queensland. Review of Historic Same-Sex Convictions – On October 10, 2017, the expungement of the 2017 historic same-sex convictions was passed by Parliament with amendment. The law largely implements the Commission`s recommendations in Report No. 74. The Act comes into force with proclamation. Abortion Review – On October 17, 2018, the Abortion Act 2018 was passed by Parliament. The bill implements the Commission`s recommendations in Report No. 76. The legislation entered into force on 3 December 2018. Explanations of the bill can be found here. Review of historical homosexual convictions – On 29 November 2016, the Commission`s final report for this review, Report No 74, Eradication of criminal convictions for historical homosexual sexual offences, was presented to Parliament. We have been able to bring about change by bringing to the attention of members of Parliament, the government, the judiciary and the public through the work of our political committees.

Everyone must play their part in achieving gender equality. Queensland`s new Women`s Strategy 2022-27 targets all Queenslanders – governments, businesses, individuals and communities.