{"id":"BILL-QLD-crime-and-corruption-restoring-reporting-powers-amendment-bill-2025","name":"Crime and Corruption (Restoring Reporting Powers) Amendment Bill 2025","slug":"crime-and-corruption-restoring-reporting-powers-amendment-bill-2025","collection":"bill","jurisdiction":"qld","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":"2025-01-01","administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":446088,"registerId":"BILL-QLD-crime-and-corruption-restoring-reporting-powers-amendment-bill-2025:current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2025-01-01","status":"in_force","reasons":null,"registeredAt":"2026-05-06T12:45:13.384Z"},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"retrieval-0001","sectionType":"document_chunk","heading":"Document excerpt 1","content":"# Crime and Corruption (Restoring Reporting Powers) Amendment Bill 2025\n\nQueensland\nCrime and Corruption\n(Restoring Reporting Powers)\nAmendment Bill 2025\n\nQueensland\nCrime and Corruption (Restoring\nReporting Powers) Amendment Bill 2025\nContents\nPage\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Short title . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6\nPart 2 Amendment of Crime and Corruption Act 2001\n2 Act amended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6\n3 Amendment of ch 2, hdg (Commission functions, investigations and\nreporting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6\n4 Amendment of s 35 (How commission performs its corruption functions)\n. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6\n5 Amendment of s 46 (Dealing with complaints—commission) . . . 7\n6 Amendment of ch 2, pt 3, div 4, sdiv 4, hdg (Miscellaneous provision) 7\n7 Insertion of new s 48B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8\n48B Limitation on commission’s findings, recommendations and\nstatements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8\n8 Amendment of s 50 (Commission may prosecute corrupt conduct) 9\n9 Amendment of ch 2, pt 6, hdg (Reporting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9\n10 Replacement of ch 2, pt 6, div 1, hdg (Application) . . . . . . . . . . . 10\n11 Amendment of s 63 (Application of pt 6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10\n12 Insertion of new s 63A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10\n63A Definitions for part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10\n13 Amendment of s 64 (Commission’s reports—general) . . . . . . . . 11\n14 Insertion of new s 64A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11\n64A Commission reports—particular corruption matters . 12\n15 Insertion of new ch 2, pt 6, div 2A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14\nDivision 2A Public statements about particular corruption matters\n65A Public statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14\n16 Amendment of s 66 (Maintaining confidentiality of information) . 17\n\nContents\nCrime and Corruption (Restoring Reporting Powers) Amendment Bill 2025\nPage 2\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n17 Amendment of s 68 (Giving of reasons) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18\n18 Amendment of s 69 (Commission reports to be tabled) . . . . . . . 18\n19 Insertion of new ch 2, pt 6, div 4A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18\nDivision 4A Procedural provisions\n69A Definitions for division . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18\n69B Adverse comment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19\n69C Application to court for extension of time to make submission\n. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21\n69D Other identifying information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23\n20 Amendment of s 71 (Giving other information to parliamentary\ncommittee) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25\n21 Omission of s 71A (Report containing adverse comment) . . . . . 25\n22 Amendment of s 85AA (Giving notices by email) . . . . . . . . . . . . 25\n23 Amendment of s 174 (Commission’s powers generally) . . . . . . . 25\n24 Amendment of s 214 (Unauthorised publication of commission reports)\n. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26\n25 Amendment of s 256 (Engagement of agents) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27\n26 Amendment of s 269 (Delegation—commission) . . . . . . . . . . . . 27\n27 Amendment of s 331 (Effect of pending proceedings) . . . . . . . . 27\n28 Replacement of s 341 (Personnel changes do not affect commission’s\npower to make findings or report) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27\n29 Amendment of ch 8, hdg (Repeals and transitional, declaratory, and\nsavings provisions) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28\n30 Insertion of new ch 8, pt 21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28\nPart 21 Crime and Corruption (Restoring Reporting Powers)\nAmendment Act 2025\n470 Definitions for part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28\n471 Validation of past reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28\n472 Validation of past public statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30\n473 Application of new provisions in relation to complaints and\ninvestigations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30\n31 Amendment of sch 2 (Dictionary) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31\nPart 3 Amendment of Crime and Corruption and Other Legislation\nAmendment Act 2024\n32 Act amended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32\n\nContents\nCrime and Corruption (Restoring Reporting Powers) Amendment Bill 2025\nPage 3\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n33 Omission of s 9 (Amendment of s 50 (Commission may prosecute\ncorrupt conduct)) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32\n34 Omission of s 11 (Amendment of s 69 (Commission reports to be tabled))\n. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32\n\n2025\nA Bill\nfor\nAn Act to amend the Crime and Corruption Act 2001 and the\nCrime and Corruption and Other Legislation Amendment Act\n2024 for particular purposes\n\nPage 6\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 1]\nCrime and Corruption (Restoring Reporting Powers) Amendment Bill 2025\nPart 1 Preliminary\nThe Parliament of Queensland enacts—\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Short title\nThis Act may be cited as the Crime and Corruption\n(Restoring Reporting Powers) Amendment Act 2025.\nPart 2 Amendment of Crime and\nCorruption Act 2001\n2 Act amended\nThis part amends the Crime and Corruption Act 2001.\n3 Amendment of ch 2, hdg (Commission functions,\ninvestigations and reporting)\nChapter 2, heading, ‘and reporting’—\nomit, insert—\n, reporting and statements\n4 Amendment of s 35 (How commission performs its\ncorruption functions)\nSection 35(1)—\ninsert—\n(k) providing information generally about how\nit performs its corruption functions by\nreporting and making statements to the\npublic;\n1\n2\nClause 3\n4\n5\n6\n7\nClause 8\n9\nClause 10\n11\n12\n13\n14\nClause 15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n\nPage 7\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 5]\nCrime and Corruption (Restoring Reporting Powers) Amendment Bill 2025\nPart 2 Amendment of Crime and Corruption Act 2001\n(l) reporting on investigations to appropriate\nauthorities and entities if it decides that\nprosecution proceedings or disciplinary\naction should be considered;\n(m) providing information to the public and to\nappropriate authorities and entities, by\nreporting and making public statements,\nabout particular complaints or particular\ninvestigations if the commission considers it\nappropriate and necessary in the\ncircumstances to do so to—\n(i) provide transparency about how it\nperforms its corruption functions; or\n(ii) assure the public and other authorities\nand entities that allegations of\ncorruption are appropriately dealt with;\nor\n(iii) continuously improve the integrity of,\nand reduce the incidence of corruption\nin, the public sector.\n5 Amendment of s 46 (Dealing with\ncomplaints—commission)\nSection 46(5)—\ninsert—\nNote—\nSee section 48B in relation to limitations on the\ncommission’s findings, recommendations and\nstatements.\n6 Amendment of ch 2, pt 3, div 4, sdiv 4, hdg\n(Miscellaneous provision)\nChapter 2, part 3, division 4, subdivision 4, heading,\n‘provision’—\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\nClause 21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\nClause 29\n30\n31\n32\n\nPage 8\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 7]\nCrime and Corruption (Restoring Reporting Powers) Amendment Bill 2025\nPart 2 Amendment of Crime and Corruption Act 2001\nomit, insert—\nprovisions\n7 Insertion of new s 48B\nAfter section 48A—\ninsert—\n48B Limitation on commission’s findings,\nrecommendations and statements\n(1) Despite any other law, including sections 46, 64,\n64A and 65A, the commission must not—\n(a) make any finding or statement that a person\nhas or has not engaged in, or is or is not\nengaging in or about to engage in,\ncorruption; or\n(b) make any finding, recommendation or\nstatement that—\n(i) a person should be prosecuted for a\ncriminal offence or be the subject of\ndisciplinary action; or\n(ii) prosecution proceedings or disciplinary\naction should be considered in relation\nto a person; or\n(c) make any finding or statement that there is\nevidence, or insufficient evidence,\nsupporting the start of a proceeding against\na person.\n(2) However, subsection (1)(b)(ii) and (c) does not\napply in relation to—\n(a) a report under division 5 or a proceeding\nrelating to the report; or\n(b) any information or document that the\ncommission is required to provide to the\n1\n2\nClause 3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31\n\nPage 9\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 8]\nCrime and Corruption (Restoring Reporting Powers) Amendment Bill 2025\nPart 2 Amendment of Crime and Corruption Act 2001\nparliamentary committee or parliamentary\ncommissioner.\n(3) To remove any doubt, it is declared that\nsubsection (1) does not prevent the commission\nmaking a factual statement—\n(a) about a matter or thing that is already in the\npublic domain; or\n(b) to indicate that the commission has reported\non a corruption investigation under division\n5.\n8 Amendment of s 50 (Commission may prosecute corrupt\nconduct)\n(1) Section 50, heading—\nomit, insert—\n50 Commission may apply to QCAT about corrupt\nconduct\n(2) Section 50(1)—\nomit, insert—\n(1) This section applies if the commission—\n(a) reports to the chief executive officer of a\nunit of public administration under section\n49(2)(f); and\n(b) considers there is evidence supporting the\nstart of a disciplinary proceeding against a\nprescribed person in the unit of public\nadministration in relation to a complaint\nabout, or information or matter involving,\ncorruption.\n9 Amendment of ch 2, pt 6, hdg (Reporting)\nChapter 2, part 6, heading, after ‘Reporting’—\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\nClause 11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\nClause 29\n30\n\nPage 10\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 10]\nCrime and Corruption (Restoring Reporting Powers) Amendment Bill 2025\nPart 2 Amendment of Crime and Corruption Act 2001\ninsert—\nand statements\n10 Replacement of ch 2, pt 6, div 1, hdg (Application)\nChapter 2, part 6, division 1, heading—\nomit, insert—\nDivision 1 Preliminary\n11 Amendment of s 63 (Application of pt 6)\n(1) Section 63, heading, ‘pt 6’—\nomit, insert—\npart\n(2) Section 63, ‘performance of crime functions’—\nomit, insert—\ncommission’s performance of its crime function\n12 Insertion of new s 63A\nAfter section 63—\ninsert—\n63A Definitions for part\nIn this part—\naction includes a decision to take no action or\ndiscontinue action.\ncorruption matter means—\n(a) a complaint about, or information or matter\n(also a complaint) involving, corruption\nmade or notified to the commission, or\notherwise coming to its attention, whether\nor not the complaint has been assessed or\n1\n2\nClause 3\n4\n5\n6\nClause 7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\nClause 14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n\nPage 11\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 13]\nCrime and Corruption (Restoring Reporting Powers) Amendment Bill 2025\nPart 2 Amendment of Crime and Corruption Act 2001\nany action has been taken in relation to the\ncomplaint under section 46; or\n(b) a corruption investigation, whether or not\nthe investigation is complete.\n13 Amendment of s 64 (Commission’s reports—general)\n(1) Section 64, heading, ‘Commission’s’—\nomit, insert—\nCommission\n(2) Section 64(2)—\ninsert—\nNote—\nSee section 48B in relation to limitations on the\ncommission’s findings, recommendations and\nstatements.\n(3) Section 64—\ninsert—\n(4A) To remove any doubt, it is declared that, subject\nto section 63, the commission may report\nsimultaneously in the performance of 1 or more of\nits functions.\n(4B) This section does not apply to a report under part\n3, division 5.\n(4) Section 64(4A) to (5)—\nrenumber as section 64(5) to (7).\n14 Insertion of new s 64A\nAfter section 64—\ninsert—\n1\n2\n3\n4\nClause 5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\nClause 25\n26\n27\n\nPage 12\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 14]\nCrime and Corruption (Restoring Reporting Powers) Amendment Bill 2025\nPart 2 Amendment of Crime and Corruption Act 2001\n64A Commission reports—particular corruption\nmatters\n(1) Without limiting section 64, the commission may\nreport on a corruption matter under section 64(1).\n(2) In making a decision about reporting on a\ncorruption matter under section 64(1), including\nthe preparation of prescribed content and the\ninclusion of comments under section 64(4) in the\nreport, the commission must consider the\nfollowing matters—\n(a) the need for accountability and transparency\nin government and the public sector;\n(b) whether the report will be for the public\nbenefit;\n(c) whether the commission has finalised its\nassessment of the corruption matter, and any\naction taken in relation to the corruption\nmatter, under section 46;\n(d) the seriousness of the corruption matter;\n(e) whether the report may prejudice—\n(i) any proceeding that the commission is\naware of, or any reasonably foreseeable\nfuture proceeding, in relation to the\ncorruption matter; or\n(ii) an investigation by the commission or\nother law enforcement agency;\n(f) if a person’s identity is readily apparent, or\ncan reasonably be ascertained, from the\nreport—\n(i) whether the standing and status of the\nperson warrants greater public\nscrutiny; and\nExamples—\n• the person holds a senior role in the\npublic service\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31\n32\n33\n34\n35\n\nPage 13\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 14]\nCrime and Corruption (Restoring Reporting Powers) Amendment Bill 2025\nPart 2 Amendment of Crime and Corruption Act 2001\n• the person is an independent statutory\noffice holder\n• the person is an elected official\n(ii) whether the report may unreasonably\ndamage the person’s health, safety or\nwellbeing; and\n(iii) the seriousness of the person’s conduct;\nand\n(iv) whether the person consents to being\nidentified; and\n(v) whether the report may unreasonably\ninterfere with the person’s privacy or\nreputation;\n(g) any other relevant matter.\n(3) Subsection (2) does not limit or otherwise\naffect—\n(a) the operation of section 57; or\n(b) the application of any other law to the\ncommission’s decision.\nExample of another law that may apply to the\ncommission’s decision—\nHuman Rights Act 2019, section 58\n(4) To remove any doubt, it is declared that the\ncommission may report on a corruption matter\nunder subsection (1) regardless of whether the\ncommission has reported on the matter under\nsection 49.\nNote—\nSee also section 331.\n(5) In this section—\nprescribed content, for a report, means—\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31\n\nPage 14\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 15]\nCrime and Corruption (Restoring Reporting Powers) Amendment Bill 2025\nPart 2 Amendment of Crime and Corruption Act 2001\n(a) an objective summary of matters that must\nbe included in the report under section\n64(2)(b); or\n(b) a fair statement of a person’s submission\nthat must be included in the report under\nsection 69B(5) or 69D(4).\n15 Insertion of new ch 2, pt 6, div 2A\nChapter 2, part 6—\ninsert—\nDivision 2A Public statements about\nparticular corruption\nmatters\n65A Public statements\n(1) The commission may make a statement to the\npublic about a corruption matter (a public\nstatement).\n(2) A public statement may be made in the way the\ncommission considers appropriate.\nExamples of ways to make a public statement—\n• issuing a media release\n• making a verbal statement at a press conference\n• publishing information on the commission’s\nwebsite\n(3) A public statement must not include any\nrecommendations in relation to a corruption\nmatter other than a recommendation included in a\ncommission report on the corruption matter that\nhas been tabled in the Legislative Assembly, or\npublished, under section 69.\nNote—\nSee also section 48B.\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\nClause 7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"retrieval-0002","sectionType":"document_chunk","heading":"Document excerpt 2","content":"Page 15\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 15]\nCrime and Corruption (Restoring Reporting Powers) Amendment Bill 2025\nPart 2 Amendment of Crime and Corruption Act 2001\n(4) In making a decision about making a public\nstatement about a corruption matter under\nsubsection (1), including the information to be\nincluded in the statement, the commission must\nconsider the following matters—\n(a) the need for accountability and transparency\nin government and the public sector;\n(b) whether the statement will be for the public\nbenefit;\n(c) whether the commission has finalised its\nassessment of the corruption matter, and any\naction taken in relation to the corruption\nmatter, under section 46;\n(d) the seriousness of the corruption matter;\n(e) whether the statement may prejudice—\n(i) any proceeding that the commission is\naware of, or any reasonably foreseeable\nfuture proceeding, in relation to the\ncorruption matter; or\n(ii) an investigation by the commission or\nother law enforcement agency;\n(f) whether the statement is the most\nappropriate and suitable means of releasing\ninformation about the corruption matter to\nthe public;\nExamples of when a public statement may be the\nmost appropriate and suitable means of releasing\ninformation—\n• to provide information about a procedural\nstep taken by the commission in relation to a\ncomplaint about, or information or matter\ninvolving, corruption\n• to provide factual information about the\noutcome of a charge or other proceeding\nresulting from a corruption investigation\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31\n32\n33\n34\n35\n\nPage 16\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 15]\nCrime and Corruption (Restoring Reporting Powers) Amendment Bill 2025\nPart 2 Amendment of Crime and Corruption Act 2001\n(g) if a person’s identity is readily apparent, or\ncan reasonably be ascertained, from the\nstatement—\n(i) whether the standing and status of the\nperson warrants greater public\nscrutiny; and\nExamples—\n• the person holds a senior role in the\npublic service\n• the person is an independent statutory\noffice holder\n• the person is an elected official\n(ii) whether the statement may\nunreasonably damage the person’s\nhealth, safety or wellbeing; and\n(iii) the seriousness of the person’s conduct;\nand\n(iv) whether the person consents to being\nidentified; and\n(v) whether the statement may\nunreasonably interfere with the\nperson’s privacy or reputation;\n(h) any other relevant matter.\n(5) Subsection (4) does not limit or otherwise\naffect—\n(a) the operation of section 57; or\n(b) the application of any other law to the\ncommission’s decision.\nExample of another law that may apply to the\ncommission’s decision—\nHuman Rights Act 2019, section 58\n(6) This section does not limit section 174, other than\nto the extent mentioned in section 174(3).\n(7) In this section—\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31\n32\n33\n34\n\nPage 17\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 16]\nCrime and Corruption (Restoring Reporting Powers) Amendment Bill 2025\nPart 2 Amendment of Crime and Corruption Act 2001\ninformation, for a statement, includes—\n(a) any comments and other material that may\nbe included in the statement; and\n(b) a fair statement of a person’s submission\nthat must be included in the statement under\nsection 69B(5) or 69D(4).\n16 Amendment of s 66 (Maintaining confidentiality of\ninformation)\n(1) Section 66(1), ‘Act about reporting,’—\nomit, insert—\nAct or another law about reporting, or the making\nof a statement to the public,\n(2) Section 66(1)(a) and (b), after ‘report’—\ninsert—\nor statement\n(3) Section 66(2), from ‘report to which’ to ‘in a report’—\nomit, insert—\nreport or statement to which confidential\ninformation is relevant or, in a report or statement\n(4) Section 66—\ninsert—\n(5) A document mentioned in subsection (2)(a) or (b)\nis not a commission report for section 69.\n(6) In this section—\nreport includes a draft report mentioned in section\n69B(2)(a)(i)(A) or 69D(2)(a)(i)(A).\nstatement includes a draft statement mentioned in\nsection 69B(2)(a)(ii)(A) or 69D(2)(a)(ii)(A).\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\nClause 7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n\nPage 18\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 17]\nCrime and Corruption (Restoring Reporting Powers) Amendment Bill 2025\nPart 2 Amendment of Crime and Corruption Act 2001\n17 Amendment of s 68 (Giving of reasons)\nSection 68(b), before ‘report’—\ninsert—\ncommission\n18 Amendment of s 69 (Commission reports to be tabled)\n(1) Section 69(1) and (2)—\nomit.\n(2) Section 69(7), ‘subsection (6)’—\nomit, insert—\nsubsection (4)\n(3) Section 69(8)—\nomit, insert—\n(8) This section does not apply to a commission\nreport to which section 65 applies.\n(4) Section 69(3) to (8)—\nrenumber as section 69(1) to (6).\n19 Insertion of new ch 2, pt 6, div 4A\nChapter 2, part 6—\ninsert—\nDivision 4A Procedural provisions\n69A Definitions for division\nIn this division—\nadverse comment, about a person, means adverse\ncomment, whether true or not, by any person,\nincluding the commission, about a person whose\nidentity is readily apparent, or can reasonably be\nClause 1\n2\n3\n4\nClause 5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\nClause 17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n\nPage 19\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 19]\nCrime and Corruption (Restoring Reporting Powers) Amendment Bill 2025\nPart 2 Amendment of Crime and Corruption Act 2001\nascertained, regardless of whether the person is\nidentified by name.\nrelated evidence, in relation to adverse comment\nabout a person, means evidence and other\ninformation or material in the possession of the\ncommission on which the adverse comment about\nthe person is based.\nrelated evidence summary see section 69B(2)(b).\nrelevant person, in relation to a commission\nreport, means the chairperson of the\nparliamentary committee, the Speaker or the\nMinister.\n69B Adverse comment\n(1) This section applies if the commission proposes to\nmake an adverse comment about a person in—\n(a) a commission report required to be tabled in\nthe Legislative Assembly, or published,\nunder section 69; or\n(b) a public statement.\n(2) Without limiting the commission’s obligation to\nprovide procedural fairness to the person, before\nthe commission gives the commission report to a\nrelevant person or makes the public statement, the\ncommission must—\n(a) give the person—\n(i) in relation to a commission report—\n(A) a copy of the report in draft form\n(the draft report); or\n(B) an extract from the draft report\ncontaining the adverse comment;\nor\n(ii) in relation to a public statement—\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31\n32\n\nPage 20\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 19]\nCrime and Corruption (Restoring Reporting Powers) Amendment Bill 2025\nPart 2 Amendment of Crime and Corruption Act 2001\n(A) a copy of the statement in draft\nform (the draft statement); or\n(B) if the draft statement applies to\nmore than 1 person—the part of\nthe draft statement that applies to\nthe person; and\n(b) give the person a copy of any related\nevidence, or a summary of the substance or\nsignificant part of any related evidence (a\nrelated evidence summary), that is not\ncontained in the draft report or extract from\nthe draft report, or the draft statement or part\nof the draft statement; and\n(c) give the person a written notice—\n(i) inviting the person to make a\nsubmission to the commission on—\n(A) the draft report or extract from the\ndraft report, or the draft statement\nor part of the draft statement; and\n(B) the related evidence or related\nevidence summary; and\n(ii) stating the day, not earlier than 30 days\nafter the notice is given, by which the\nsubmission must be made to the\ncommission.\n(3) Within 14 days after receiving the notice, the\nperson may apply to the commission for an\nextension of time, of no more than 60 days unless\nthere are exceptional circumstances, in which to\nmake a submission.\n(4) The commission must consider any submission\nreceived from the person by the day stated in the\nnotice or within any extended time for making a\nsubmission granted by the commission or the\nSupreme Court under section 69C.\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31\n32\n33\n34\n35\n\nPage 21\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 19]\nCrime and Corruption (Restoring Reporting Powers) Amendment Bill 2025\nPart 2 Amendment of Crime and Corruption Act 2001\n(5) If after considering a submission under subsection\n(4) the commission still proposes to include\nadverse comment about the person in the\ncommission report or public statement, the\ncommission must ensure the person’s submission\nis also fairly stated in the report or statement.\n(6) If the commission proposes to include further\nadverse comment about the person in the\ncommission report or public statement, in\naddition to the adverse comment mentioned in\nsubsection (1), subsections (2) to (5) apply to the\nfurther adverse comment.\n(7) Subsection (2) does not apply in relation to a\npublic statement if—\n(a) the statement only provides a factual and\nobjective summary of a commission report;\nand\n(b) the commission has complied with this\nsection in relation to the report.\n(8) To remove any doubt, it is declared that\nsubsection (2)(b) does not require the commission\nto give a person a copy of evidence and other\ninformation or material in its possession if the\ncommission considers the confidentiality of the\nevidence, information or material should be\nstrictly maintained.\n69C Application to court for extension of time to\nmake submission\n(1) This section applies if—\n(a) a person applies for an extension of time\nunder section 69B(3) (the extension\napplication); and\n(b) the commission decides to refuse the\nextension application.\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31\n32\n33\n34\n\nPage 22\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 19]\nCrime and Corruption (Restoring Reporting Powers) Amendment Bill 2025\nPart 2 Amendment of Crime and Corruption Act 2001\n(2) The commission must give the person an\ninformation notice for its decision.\n(3) Within 14 days after receiving the information\nnotice, the person may apply to the Supreme\nCourt to decide the extension application.\n(4) The commission must not give the commission\nreport to a relevant person or make the public\nstatement before—\n(a) the end of the period in which a person may\napply to the Supreme Court under\nsubsection (3); or\n(b) if an application is made under subsection\n(3)—the application is decided or\nwithdrawn.\n(5) The Supreme Court must deal with an application\nunder subsection (3) expeditiously.\n(6) The application may be heard in closed court.\n(7) The Supreme Court may hear the application in\nany way it considers appropriate, including, for\nexample, by hearing the matter afresh.\n(8) On hearing the application, the Supreme Court\nmay—\n(a) affirm the commission’s decision; or\n(b) set aside the commission’s decision and\ngrant an extension of time, of no more than\n60 days unless there are exceptional\ncircumstances, within which the person may\nmake a submission to the commission on—\n(i) the draft report or extract from the draft\nreport, or the draft statement or part of\nthe draft statement; and\n(ii) the related evidence or related evidence\nsummary.\n(9) The Supreme Court must give reasons for the\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31\n32\n33\n34\n\nPage 23\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 19]\nCrime and Corruption (Restoring Reporting Powers) Amendment Bill 2025\nPart 2 Amendment of Crime and Corruption Act 2001\ncourt’s decision, which may be given orally.\n(10) In this section—\ninformation notice, for a decision, means a\nwritten notice stating the following information—\n(a) the decision;\n(b) the reasons for the decision;\n(c) that the person to whom the notice is given\nmay apply to the Supreme Court under\nsubsection (3) in relation to the decision;\n(d) how, and the period within which, the\napplication may be made;\n(e) the effect of subsection (4).\n69D Other identifying information\n(1) This section applies if—\n(a) the commission proposes to include\nidentifying information about a person in—\n(i) a commission report required to be\ntabled in the Legislative Assembly, or\npublished, under section 69; or\n(ii) a public statement; and\n(b) section 69B does not apply.\n(2) Before the commission report is given to a\nrelevant person or the public statement is made,\nthe commission may—\n(a) give the person—\n(i) in relation to a commission report—\n(A) a copy of the report in draft form\n(the draft report); or\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n\nPage 24\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 19]\nCrime and Corruption (Restoring Reporting Powers) Amendment Bill 2025\nPart 2 Amendment of Crime and Corruption Act 2001\n(B) an extract from the draft report\ncontaining the identifying\ninformation; or\n(ii) in relation to a public statement—\n(A) a copy of the statement in draft\nform (the draft statement); or\n(B) if the draft statement applies to\nmore than 1 person—the part of\nthe draft statement that applies to\nthe person; and\n(b) give the person a written notice—\n(i) inviting the person to make a\nsubmission to the commission on the\ndraft report or extract from the draft\nreport, or the draft statement or part of\nthe draft statement; and\n(ii) stating the day, not earlier than 30 days\nafter the notice is given, by which the\nsubmission must be made to the\ncommission.\n(3) The commission must consider any submission\nreceived from the person by the day stated in the\nnotice.\n(4) If the person makes a submission to the\ncommission in response to the notice mentioned\nin subsection (2)(b) and the commission still\nproposes to include the identifying information in\nthe commission report or public statement, the\ncommission must ensure the person’s submission\nis also fairly stated in the report or statement.\n(5) In this section—\nidentifying information means any comment,\ninformation, opinion or other material that\nidentifies a person or from which a person can\nreasonably be identified.\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31\n32\n33\n34\n35\n\nPage 25\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 20]\nCrime and Corruption (Restoring Reporting Powers) Amendment Bill 2025\nPart 2 Amendment of Crime and Corruption Act 2001\n20 Amendment of s 71 (Giving other information to\nparliamentary committee)\nSection 71, ‘a report’—\nomit, insert—\na commission report given to the chairperson of\nthe committee\n21 Omission of s 71A (Report containing adverse comment)\nSection 71A—\nomit.\n22 Amendment of s 85AA (Giving notices by email)\nSection 85AA(3), after ‘However,’—\ninsert—\nif the person is an individual,\n23 Amendment of s 174 (Commission’s powers generally)\n(1) Section 174(1), after ‘functions’—\ninsert—\n, including, for example, the power to make a\nstatement to the public\n(2) Section 174—\ninsert—\n(2A) The commission’s power under subsection (1) in\nrelation to the performance of its corruption\nfunctions, and its prevention function to the extent\nit relates to corruption, does not include power to\nmake a statement to the public about—\n(a) a particular complaint about, or information\nor matter involving, corruption; or\nClause 1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\nClause 7\n8\n9\nClause 10\n11\n12\n13\nClause 14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n\nPage 26\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 24]\nCrime and Corruption (Restoring Reporting Powers) Amendment Bill 2025\nPart 2 Amendment of Crime and Corruption Act 2001\n(b) a particular corruption investigation.\nNote—\nSee chapter 2, part 6, division 2A.\n(3) Section 174(2A) and (3)—\nrenumber as section 174(3) and (4).\n24 Amendment of s 214 (Unauthorised publication of\ncommission reports)\n(1) Section 214, heading, after ‘reports’—\ninsert—\nand other restricted information\n(2) Section 214—\ninsert—\n(2) A person who is given restricted information by\nthe commission under chapter 2, part 6, division\n4A must not disclose the information to anyone\nelse unless the person has a reasonable excuse.\nExample of a reasonable excuse—\ngiving restricted information to the person’s lawyer for\nthe purpose of obtaining legal advice\nMaximum penalty—85 penalty units or 1 year’s\nimprisonment.\n(3) In this section—\ncommission report includes an extract from a\ncommission report.\ndisclose includes publish and give access to.\ninformation includes a document.\npublic statement includes part of a public\nstatement.\nrestricted information means—\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\nClause 6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n\nPage 27\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 25]\nCrime and Corruption (Restoring Reporting Powers) Amendment Bill 2025\nPart 2 Amendment of Crime and Corruption Act 2001\n(a) a copy of a commission report, or a public\nstatement, in draft form; or\n(b) any evidence and other information or\nmaterial relating to a report or statement\nmentioned in paragraph (a).\nExample for paragraph (b)—\nrelated evidence under section 69A\n25 Amendment of s 256 (Engagement of agents)\nSection 256(1), ‘To meet temporary circumstances, the’—\nomit, insert—\nThe\n26 Amendment of s 269 (Delegation—commission)\nSection 269(6), table, ‘(Commission may prosecute corrupt\nconduct)’—\nomit, insert—\n(Commission may apply to QCAT about corrupt\nconduct)\n27 Amendment of s 331 (Effect of pending proceedings)\nSection 331(1)(b), after ‘a report’—\ninsert—\n, under chapter 2, part 3, division 5 or part 6,\n28 Replacement of s 341 (Personnel changes do not affect\ncommission’s power to make findings or report)\nSection 341—\nomit, insert—\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\nClause 8\n9\n10\n11\nClause 12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\nClause 18\n19\n20\n21\nClause 22\n23\n24\n25","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"retrieval-0003","sectionType":"document_chunk","heading":"Document excerpt 3","content":"Page 28\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 29]\nCrime and Corruption (Restoring Reporting Powers) Amendment Bill 2025\nPart 2 Amendment of Crime and Corruption Act 2001\n341 Changes in commission’s constitution\nThe commission may perform a function, or\nexercise a power, under this or another Act on the\nbasis of all evidence presented to it, regardless of\nany change in the constitution of the commission.\n29 Amendment of ch 8, hdg (Repeals and transitional,\ndeclaratory, and savings provisions)\nChapter 8, heading, after ‘declaratory,’—\ninsert—\nvalidation\n30 Insertion of new ch 8, pt 21\nChapter 8—\ninsert—\nPart 21 Crime and Corruption\n(Restoring Reporting\nPowers) Amendment\nAct 2025\n470 Definitions for part\nIn this part—\nformer, for a provision of this Act, means the\nprovision as in force from time to time before the\ncommencement.\nnew, for a provision of this Act, means the\nprovision as in force from the commencement.\n471 Validation of past reports\n(1) This section applies to a report on a particular\ncomplaint about, or information or matter\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\nClause 6\n7\n8\n9\n10\nClause 11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n\nPage 29\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 30]\nCrime and Corruption (Restoring Reporting Powers) Amendment Bill 2025\nPart 2 Amendment of Crime and Corruption Act 2001\ninvolving, corruption or a particular corruption\ninvestigation that was—\n(a) before 13 September 2023, purportedly\nprepared or made under former section 64;\nand\n(b) before the introduction day—\n(i) tabled in the Legislative Assembly; or\n(ii) purportedly published under former\nsection 69.\n(2) The report and any accompanying document, and\nany action taken or decision made by the\ncommission in relation to the report, including\npublication of the report to another person, is\ntaken to be, and to have always been, as valid and\nlawful as it would be or would have been if—\n(a) the report were prepared or made under new\nsection 64A; and\n(b) the commission had complied with this Act\nand any other law applying in relation to the\npreparation and making of the report; and\n(c) the report were signed by the chairperson\nunder new section 69; and\n(d) the report and accompanying document\nwere given, and tabled or published, under\nnew section 69.\n(3) For subsection (2)(a), new section 64A(2) is taken\nnot to have applied to the report or the\ncommission’s decisions in relation to the report.\n(4) In this section—\naction includes a failure to take action.\ndecision includes a failure to make a decision.\nintroduction day means the day the Bill for the\nCrime and Corruption (Restoring Reporting\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31\n32\n33\n\nPage 30\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 30]\nCrime and Corruption (Restoring Reporting Powers) Amendment Bill 2025\nPart 2 Amendment of Crime and Corruption Act 2001\nPowers) Amendment Act 2025 was introduced\ninto the Legislative Assembly.\nreport includes a copy of a report and a report in\ndraft form.\n472 Validation of past public statements\n(1) This section applies to a statement prepared and\nmade to the public, before 13 September 2023, by\nthe commission about—\n(a) a particular complaint about, or information\nor matter involving, corruption; or\n(b) a particular corruption investigation.\n(2) The statement, and any action taken by the\ncommission in relation to the statement, is taken\nto be, and to have always been, as valid and lawful\nas it would be or would have been if the statement\nwere prepared and made under new section 65A.\n(3) For subsection (2), new section 65A(3) and (4) is\ntaken not to have applied to the statement or the\ncommission’s decisions in relation to the\nstatement.\n473 Application of new provisions in relation to\ncomplaints and investigations\nSubject to sections 471 and 472, the new\nprovisions of this Act apply to a complaint about,\nor information or matter (also a complaint)\ninvolving, corruption or a corruption\ninvestigation—\n(a) whether the complaint was made or notified\nto the commission before, or is made or\nnotified to the commission after, the\ncommencement; and\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31\n\nPage 31\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 31]\nCrime and Corruption (Restoring Reporting Powers) Amendment Bill 2025\nPart 2 Amendment of Crime and Corruption Act 2001\n(b) whether the investigation was completed\nbefore, or is started before and completed\nafter, the commencement; and\n(c) whether the complaint or investigation\nrelates to conduct that happened, or is\nsuspected to have happened, before the\ncommencement.\n31 Amendment of sch 2 (Dictionary)\n(1) Schedule 2—\ninsert—\naction, for chapter 2, part 6, see section 63A.\nadverse comment, about a person, for chapter 2,\npart 6, division 4A, see section 69A.\ncorruption matter, for chapter 2, part 6, see\nsection 63A.\npublic statement see section 65A(1).\nrelated evidence, in relation to adverse comment\nabout a person, for chapter 2, part 6, division 4A,\nsee section 69A.\nrelated evidence summary, for chapter 2, part 6,\ndivision 4A, see section 69B(2)(b).\n(2) Schedule 2, definition commission report, after ‘part 6’—\ninsert—\nand includes the report’s foreword and\nappendixes\n(3) Schedule 2, definition relevant person—\ninsert—\n(e) in relation to a commission report, for\nchapter 2, part 6, division 4A, see section\n69A.\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\nClause 8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n\nPage 32\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 32]\nCrime and Corruption (Restoring Reporting Powers) Amendment Bill 2025\nPart 3 Amendment of Crime and Corruption and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024\nPart 3 Amendment of Crime and\nCorruption and Other\nLegislation Amendment Act\n2024\n32 Act amended\nThis part amends the Crime and Corruption and Other\nLegislation Amendment Act 2024.\n33 Omission of s 9 (Amendment of s 50 (Commission may\nprosecute corrupt conduct))\nSection 9—\nomit.\nEditor’s note—\nLegislation ultimately amended—\n• Crime and Corruption Act 2001\n34 Omission of s 11 (Amendment of s 69 (Commission\nreports to be tabled))\nSection 11—\nomit.\nEditor’s note—\nLegislation ultimately amended—\n• Crime and Corruption Act 2001\n© State of Queensland 2025\n1\n2\n3\n4\nClause 5\n6\n7\nClause 8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\nClause 15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21","sortOrder":2}],"analysis":{"summary":{"status_summary":"The Bill has received royal assent and is now the Crime and Corruption (Restoring Reporting Powers) Amendment Act 2025.","complexity_score":6,"likely_questions":["Does this Bill allow the CCC to name individuals in public statements before an investigation is complete?","What happens if a person subject to adverse comment does not respond within 30 days?","Can the CCC still refer matters for prosecution, or is that power removed entirely?","How does the validation of past reports affect ongoing court cases or appeals?","Does the Bill change the CCC’s ability to hold private hearings?"],"complexity_factors":["Multiple amendments to different sections of the principal Act and an amending Act","New procedural fairness obligations with court application provisions","Transitional and validation provisions applying retroactively","Definitions and interpretation changes that require cross-referencing"],"plain_english_summary":"The Bill expands the Crime and Corruption Commission’s ability to report on and publicly comment about corruption complaints and investigations, while imposing new limits on making findings that a person engaged in corruption and replacing the CCC’s prosecution power with applications to QCAT.  \n\nIt mandates procedural fairness (draft notice, evidence, 30+ days to respond), validates past CCC reports, creates an offence for disclosing restricted draft material, and affects investigated individuals, the CCC, and public accountability—balancing transparency with protections for people and ongoing proceedings."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":8,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"This Bill materially changes the scope of the commission’s public communications relative to the narrower limitations that had been introduced earlier. It explicitly restores and expands the commission’s statutory ability to publish reports and to make public statements about particular corruption complaints and investigations (new ss 64A and 65A), while simultaneously restricting the content of those public outputs (s 48B prohibits findings that a person has engaged in corruption or recommending prosecution in public statements). The Bill also adds extensive procedural protections for persons who may be identified or criticised and validates prior reports and public statements made before 13 September 2023 (Part 21, ss 471–472). Those retrospective validations and the insertion of a new offence for unauthorised disclosure further broaden the Act’s legal reach, affecting past conduct, present procedural handling, and future disclosure risk. Overall, the Bill shifts the Act from a more constrained public-reporting regime to a regime that permits targeted public reporting/statements subject to new procedural safeguards and content limits."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple new substantive provisions across the Act (new ss 48B, 63A, 64A, 65A and Division 4A (ss 69A–69D))","Extensive cross-references to existing sections (e.g. ss 46, 57, 64, 65A, 69, 174, 214, 331) creating interdependent obligations","New procedural pathways with timetables and judicial review (30-day minimum notice, 14-day application windows, Supreme Court review under s 69C)","Retrospective validation clauses (Part 21, ss 471–472) that change legal effect of past conduct and reports","New criminal offence and substantial penalty for unauthorised disclosure of \"restricted information\" (amended s 214) tied to the procedural division","Multiple renumberings and editorial changes (renumbered subsections, redefined headings) increasing navigational complexity","New and amended definitions added to Schedule 2 and new in-part definitions (ss 63A, 69A) increasing the number of defined terms governing interpretation","Mixed delegations of power and discretion (commission may decide what to publish but must consider a list of matters) producing conditional decision logic","Exceptions within prohibitions (e.g. s 48B exceptions for division 5 reports and parliamentary disclosures) leading to nested conditions","Interaction with external laws (Human Rights Act 2019 referenced; Parliamentary and QCAT procedures engaged) increasing cross-system complexity"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this Bill does (mechanically)\n\n- Restores and expands the Crime and Corruption Commission’s (the commission’s) ability to report and to make public statements about particular complaints and investigations involving corruption (inserts new reporting and \"statements\" headings and powers; see new ss 64A and 65A).\n- Puts explicit limits on the commission’s wording when discussing people: the commission cannot make findings or statements that a person has committed (or not committed) corruption, recommend prosecution or disciplinary action, or say there is (or is not) evidence to start proceedings (new s 48B). There are narrow exceptions for certain tabling and parliamentary disclosure requirements (s 48B(2)) and factual material already in the public domain (s 48B(3)).\n- Creates procedural fairness steps before adverse comment or identifying material is published: drafts must be given to the person affected, related evidence (or a summary) must be provided, a minimum 30-day response window is prescribed, and the person’s submission must be fairly stated if adverse comment or identification remains (new Division 4A: ss 69A–69D).\n- Authorises the commission to make public statements (media release, website post, press conference etc.) about a particular corruption matter, subject to the considerations in the Bill and the limits in s 48B (new s 65A).\n- Restricts the commission from recommending prosecution in a public statement unless the recommendation is already in a tabled/published report (s 65A(3)).\n- Changes the commission’s disciplinary pathway: where it finds evidence that supports disciplinary action against a prescribed public sector person, the commission may apply to QCAT about corrupt conduct (amendment of s 50).\n- Strengthens confidentiality rules and creates a new offence for unauthorised disclosure of \"restricted information\" received under the procedural division (amendment to s 214; penalty 85 penalty units or 1 year imprisonment).\n- Validates past reports and past public statements made by the commission before 13 September 2023 so they are taken to be lawful under the new rules (new Part 21, ss 471–472).\n\n\nWho is affected\n\n- The Crime and Corruption Commission: gains clearer statutory authority to report and to make public statements about particular corruption matters, subject to new procedural and substantive limits (new ss 64A, 65A, 48B).\n- Individuals who are the subject of commission reports or statements: get statutory procedural protections before adverse comment or identifying information is published (Division 4A: ss 69B–69D).\n- Public sector employees and prescribed persons: may be named/subject to statements or reports, but the commission is prevented from formally finding they committed corruption or explicitly recommending prosecution outside certain report/tabling routes (s 48B, s 65A(3)).\n- Parliamentary committee/chairperson, the Speaker, and the Minister: remain recipients of commission reports and are part of tabling/publishing processes (see amendments to s 71 and s 69).\n- Lawyers, media, and third parties: face a new criminal/penal risk if they disclose \"restricted information\" given in draft reports/statements (amendment to s 214).\n- QCAT and the Supreme Court: take on roles—QCAT for disciplinary applications by the commission (amended s 50); Supreme Court to hear expedited challenges about extension-of-time refusals for making submissions (s 69C).\n\n\nWhy it matters (official purpose claim and a practical test of that claim)\n\n- The Bill is framed as restoring transparency and the commission’s ability to inform the public about how it performs its corruption functions (see proposed s 35(k)–(m), s 64A(2)(a)–(b), s 65A(4)).\n\nTesting that claim against costs, incentives and trade-offs:\n- Transparency vs. reputational/privacy risk: the Bill increases the commission’s ability to speak publicly about specific matters (which can increase public information), but it also introduces procedural safeguards and a prohibition on making guilt findings or recommending prosecutions in statements (ss 48B, 65A(3), 69B). The statutory balancing test requires the commission to weigh public benefit, seriousness, prejudice to proceedings, and privacy/health/safety concerns when deciding to publish (ss 64A(2), 65A(4)).\n- Incentives for naming senior figures: the text specifically asks the commission to consider \"standing and status\" and whether public scrutiny is warranted (ss 64A(2)(f), 65A(4)(g)). That creates a discretionary incentive to publish in high-profile cases, and the decision sits with the commission (discretionary, with procedural checks in Division 4A).\n- Legal and administrative costs: the Bill adds procedural steps (drafts, evidence summaries, response windows, court applications for extension refusal) that increase workload for the commission and may lengthen timelines for publishing (Division 4A). It also creates potential for more litigation (Supreme Court applications under s 69C) and new criminal liability for unauthorized disclosure (amended s 214), which could raise costs for recipients of draft materials (lawyers excepted under \"reasonable excuse\").\n- Limits on formal action vs public signalling: the commission is explicitly prevented from making statements that amount to findings of guilt or recommending criminal prosecution or disciplinary action in public statements (s 48B, s 65A(3)). At the same time the commission can (in a limited way) apply to QCAT about disciplinary matters (amended s 50). That channels formal accountability away from public prosecutorial rhetoric and toward institutional processes.\n- Risk of chilling internal cooperation: the new criminal penalty for disclosing restricted information (amended s 214) aims to protect confidentiality, but may deter whistleblowers or third parties from sharing draft materials unless protected in law; the Bill acknowledges one exception (legal advice) as a reasonable excuse.\n\n\nImplementation, compliance burden and risks\n\n- Bureaucratic discretion: the commission gets broad discretion to decide whether to report or make a public statement and what to include; the Bill adds mandatory considerations but leaves the final call to the commission (ss 64A(2), 65A(4)).\n- Procedural burden: preparing draft reports/statements, compiling \"related evidence summaries,\" and managing 30–day consultation windows will increase staff time and likely require clearer internal processes.\n- Litigation risk: individuals can seek a court extension of time and can have the Supreme Court review a refusal to extend; this may invite litigation over procedural fairness and timing (s 69C).\n- Retrospective validation: the Bill validates past reports and statements made before 13 September 2023 (ss 471–472). That reduces legal uncertainty about prior commission outputs but is a significant retrospective legal effect.\n\n\nMarket-liberal checklist — effects on private enterprise and choice\n\n- Private businesses: not directly targeted; increased public reporting about corruption in the public sector could indirectly affect firms that contract with government (reputational and contract risk) if the commission discloses information about procurement or officials involved in contracting.\n- Competition and prices: no direct price-controls or market-entry rules. Indirect effects could arise if named officials disrupt procurement or regulation.\n- Contract freedom and speech: the Bill tightens confidentiality of draft materials (amended s 214) and limits commission statements that imply guilt; it preserves the commission’s freedom to publish factual material, subject to the procedural constraints.\n- Independent business operation: greater public reporting of corruption matters could increase compliance costs for businesses dealing with government customers, but the Bill does not impose new regulatory duties on businesses.\n\n\nConcentrated benefits and diffuse costs\n\n- Concentrated beneficiaries: those who gain are public-interest actors seeking more public information about corruption investigations (media, watchdog NGOs) and the commission (clearer powers to explain its work).\n- Diffuse costs: individuals who may be named or subject to adverse comment face reputation and privacy risk; recipients of draft materials bear criminal disclosure risk, and the commission bears administrative costs of additional procedures and potential litigation.\n\n\nSummary conclusion (mechanical, not normative)\n\n- The Bill restores and formalises the commission’s powers to report and to make public statements about particular corruption matters, adds procedural fairness requirements for those the commission proposes to identify or criticise, imposes limits on findings and recommendations in public statements, criminalises unauthorised disclosure of draft/related materials, shifts some disciplinary applications to QCAT, and validates prior reports/statements. The measure increases the commission’s public-facing communication tools while constraining particular forms of accusatory language, and it creates new procedural and legal compliance burdens for the commission and persons involved in or receiving draft materials. (See ss 48B, 64A, 65A, Division 4A (ss 69A–69D), s 214, Part 21 (ss 471–473).)\n"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/crime-and-corruption-restoring-reporting-powers-amendment-bill-2025","history":"/api/acts/crime-and-corruption-restoring-reporting-powers-amendment-bill-2025/history","analysis":"/api/acts/crime-and-corruption-restoring-reporting-powers-amendment-bill-2025/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/crime-and-corruption-restoring-reporting-powers-amendment-bill-2025/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/crime-and-corruption-restoring-reporting-powers-amendment-bill-2025/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/crime-and-corruption-restoring-reporting-powers-amendment-bill-2025/documents"}}