Qld CMC changes up for debate

Queensland Premier Campbell Newman says new laws which shake up the Crime and Misconduct Commission are due to be debated this week.

Controversial changes to Queensland's Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) are expected to pass parliament this week.

Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie is likely to make a number of amendments to the bill, first introduced in March.

The legislation originally gave the government free rein to choose the CMC's chair, removing the need for bipartisan approval.

But a parliamentary oversight committee is now expected to be given veto powers.

Premier Campbell Newman has previously conceded there are concerns about the CMC focusing primarily on organised crime.

He wants the legislation tweaked so there is equal emphasis with fighting corruption, adding debate on the CMC laws "should be coming forward" this week.

Changes to political donation laws, raising the minimum donation declaration threshold from $1000 to $12,400, could also be debated this week.

But the premier says cabinet is yet to make a decision.

The bill was due for debate earlier this year, but was postponed until the Electoral Commission Queensland investigated claims of intimidation at February's Redcliffe by-election.

That report, which recommends banning canvassing at polling booths, was released on April 24.

"How we deal with that is still up in the air," Mr Newman said.

"We have two choices, we hold back and bring everything together, or we bring forward the bill currently before the house, deal with that and then do some Redcliffe amendments subsequently.

"It may be the latter, but watch this space."


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Source: AAP


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