Queensland Government Bulletin – 21 August 2018

In the media Here's how the Government wants to access messaging apps to stop crime New laws will be unveiled aimed at helping the nation's spy agencies and police monitor and prevent criminal activity through phones and the internet (14 August 2018). More...

'I can do what I like': CFMEU fined more than $500,000 for workplace breaches Three construction officials who deliberately broke workplace laws at sites in Queensland and Victoria cost their union close to $577,000 in fines, in what the Federal Court describes as "disgraceful and shameful" behaviour (14 August 2018). More...

Huge rise in use of custodial orders given by Magistrates Courts Magistrates are increasingly using custodial sentences in Queensland courts, research from the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council has revealed (07 August 2018). More...

In practice and courts Attorney-General Reviews

Legal assistance review In 2018, separate and concurrent reviews will be undertaken of the National Partnership Agreement on Legal Assistance Services 2015-2020 (NPA) and the Indigenous Legal Assistance Program (ILAP). The reviews will assess the effectiveness, efficiency and appropriateness of the NPA and the ILAP as mechanisms for achieving their respective objectives and outcomes within available resources, and identify best practice and opportunities for improvement. Submissions close on 28 September 2018.

Statutory Review of the Tribunals Amalgamation Act 2015 The Attorney-General has announced a statutory review of the amalgamated Administrative Appeals Tribunal to examine whether the operations of the tribunal can be further improved to enhance its efficiency and effectiveness in supporting government decision making. Submissions close on 24 August 2018. More...

OPCAT (Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture) in Australia: Consultation Paper: Stage 2. In this second stage of consultation with civil society, the Australian Human Rights Commission invites comments on the proposals set out in the Interim Report, as well as a further set of questions regarding how OPCAT should be implemented in Australia. The two stages of the commission's consultation are intended to be complementary. Feedback is requested by COB Friday 24 August 2018.

Federal Circuit Court Amendment (Costs and Other Measures) Rules 2018 The judges of the Federal Circuit Court have agreed to miscellaneous amendments which are outlined in the Amendment Rules.

Reminder: Australian Digital Health Agency three month "opt-out period" for My Health Record As announced by the Australian Digital Health Agency, every Australian will be offered a My Health Record unless they choose not to have one during the three-month opt out period which has been extended to 15 November 2018. A national communications strategy will be implemented to explain the opt-out process. During the opt out period individuals who do not want a record will be able to opt out by visiting the My Health Record website.

Law Council of Australia Update 9 August edition Inquires and consultations as of 7 August 2018.

AAT Bulletins 2018 Issue No. 31/2018, 13 August 2018 Issue No. 30/2018, 6 August 2018

Queensland

OIC Queensland Submission - New Australian Government Data Sharing and Release Legislation Opening up government data is consistent with, and an important part of, Queensland's right to information 'push model'. OIC supports strategies and initiatives, such as Open Data, that maximise disclosure of government-held information to the community and provide appropriate protections for the community's personal information (August 2018). More...

Sentencing Advisory Council: Sentencing Spotlights on...offence and sentencing trends Looking at sentencing outcomes between 1 July 2005 and 30 June 2017, the Sentencing Spotlights on... offence and sentencing trends in the Magistrates, District and Supreme Courts provide a picture of sentencing outcomes and how these have changed over time, and help us to understand sentencing patterns, such as how judges and magistrates combine penalties to meet the diverse circumstances of the cases before them (07 August 2018). More...

View the reports here: View Sentencing Spotlight on... offence and sentencing trends: Queensland Supreme and District Courts View Sentencing Spotlight on... offence and sentencing trends: Queensland Magistrates Courts

CCC Investigations

CCC finalises Ipswich City Council investigation and tables report in Parliament - 14 August 2018 The CCC has tabled a report in State Parliament this afternoon following the completion of its investigation into Ipswich City Council.

Further charges in Ipswich City Council investigation - 10 August 2018 This afternoon the Crime and Corruption Commission issued two men with Notices to Appear in Court as a result of its corruption investigation into Ipswich City Council.

Practice directions

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Queensland has issued the following practice directions: Practice Direction 15 of 2018 – Persons under a legal disability (06 August...