Victims of domestic violence will be provided even more protection by legislation passed in Queensland Parliament today.
New laws will stop people with domestic violence orders against them from accessing explosives, after Parliament passed amendments contained in the Land, Explosives and Other Legislation Amendment Bill.
Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Minister Dr Anthony Lynham told Parliament that the amendments provided legislative support to the Palaszczuk Government’s Not Now Not Ever policy by prohibiting people who were subject to domestic violence orders from holding an explosives licence.
“A person who is subject to a domestic violence order will not be granted an explosives licence,” Dr Lynham said.
“It also means that a current licence holder will have the licence immediately suspended for the term of the order.
“Importantly, this approach aligns with recommendations presented to the Government in the Not Now, Not Ever report of the Special Taskforce on Domestic and Family Violence.
Other amendments in the Bill will ensure taxpayers are not be left with the costs of cleaning up state land at the expiry of a lease or cancellation of a permit.
“There are a number of buildings and structures on state land that are unsafe and poorly maintained preventing future use on the land or are inconsistent with the land’s intended use,” Dr Lynham said.
“Up to now dealing with these structures has been a liability to taxpayers. Changes passed today will give the Government stronger powers to act.
“For example, if a lessee on a commercial lease of state land builds an unsafe building, the Government will have powers to request its repair, removal or if needed, the ability to recover the costs of removal.
“These changes are part of a suite of amendments that more effectively address legacy issues, poor behaviour and non-compliance on State land and remove the associated cost burden from tax payers.”
Some of these changes will take effect immediately, while others will be implemented progressively over the next 12 months.
