The Disaster Management and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 was introduced into the Queensland Parliament on 7 March 2024 by the Honourable Nikki Boyd MP, Minister for Fire and Disaster Recovery and Minister for Corrective Services.

The Bill amends the Disaster Management Act 2003, the Disaster Management Regulation 2014, the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990, the Fire and Emergency Services Regulation 2011, the Queensland Reconstruction Authority Act 2011, the State Penalties Enforcement Regulation 2014 and makes other consequential amendments to give effect to structural, administrative and operational reforms recommended in the Independent Review of Queensland Fire and Emergency Services by KPMG International Limited and the Inspector-General of Emergency Management Review of Queensland’s Disaster Management Arrangements (QDMA).

Amendments to the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990 (FES Act) will:

• rename the FES Act the Fire Services Act 1990 (FS Act);
• establish Queensland Fire and Rescue (QFR) and Rural Fire Service Queensland (RFSQ) as fire services under the FS Act;
• widen the objects of the FS Act to include establishing a framework for the operation, management and administration of the fire services;
• recognise the importance of the collaboration and coordination between the fire services and the valuable role of volunteers;
• set out the mandatory eligibility requirements for appointment of the Commissioner;
• clarify the functions of the Commissioner to reflect the extent of the Commissioner’s management responsibilities;
• consolidate the power of the Commissioner to direct certain persons under the FS Act to ensure the efficient and proper functioning of the fire services;
• establish the role of Chief Fire Officer to provide advice to the Commissioner about service delivery, operational culture, best practice and innovation and research;
• set out the mandatory qualifications, skills and experience required for appointment to roles in QFR and RFSQ, including where acting arrangements are in place; 
• establish the roles of Deputy Commissioner, QFR, and Chief Officer, RFSQ, which are responsible for day-to-day service delivery;
• clarify the appointment, powers and functions of chief fire wardens and fire wardens;
• establish a committee to advise the Chief Officer on RFSQ and rural fire brigades matters;
• establish rural fire brigades as part of RFSQ, with members appointed by the Commissioner, to address issues regarding the legal status of rural fire brigades and volunteer protections;
• recognise the role of office bearers in rural fire brigades, clarify the functions of rural fire brigades, and provide for the appointment of a person in charge in the absence of an available first officer; and
• make minor or consequential amendments.

Additionally, the Bill will require newly registered caravans and motorhomes and those for which the registration is transferring to be fitted with battery powered, photoelectric smoke alarms.

The Bill also makes amendments to: 

• the Disaster Management Act 2003 to enhance Queensland’s disaster management arrangements; and
• the Queensland Reconstruction Authority Act 2011 to expand the QRA’s functions.

You can now access copies of the Disaster Management and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024, the Explanatory Notes and Human Rights Statement of Compatibility.