Justice Legislation (COVID-19 Emergency Response – Permanency) Amendment Bill 2021

In October 2021, we responded to the consultation on Queensland’s Justice Legislation (COVID-19 Emergency Response – Permanency) Amendment Bill 2021 (the Bill).

Our submission focused on the ‘Documents Reforms’ section of the Bill. We supported the Bill's stated objective to permanently implement certain aspects of the temporary arrangements to allow individuals, businesses, and government to continue using digital technology to meet their needs. We recommended that the technology neutral approach adopted in the Bill be extended to all Queensland legislation insofar as it refers to payment methods, and particularly where payment by cheque is encouraged. The submission also reiterated AusPayNet’s previous request to the office of Queensland Treasurer in October 2019 seeking their assistance to amend legislation in response to the customer-led decline in the use of cheques.

AusPayNet’s submission is available below.