A Queensland Ministerial Directive will be issued to all professional carers within the state’s public health system, requiring new mandatory mental health reporting for high-risk patients as part of reforms introduced to Parliament this week.
The directive – the third issued since 2011 – follows consultation with Queensland’s Chief Psychiatrist. It will require professional carers to make a referral to the Queensland Police Service, under section 151 of the Weapons Act, when they assess an individual is a higher risk to commit violence with a weapon.
The Ministerial Directive will be effective from when the Fighting Antisemitism and Keeping Guns out of the hands of Terrorists and Criminals Bill passes the Parliament, allowing the changes to be introduced without delay.
The Government says it will also retain existing requirements on weapons licensing applications for applicants to declare any neurological condition, psychiatric disorder, psychological issues and alcohol and drug history.
The Firearm Prohibition Order scheme will also be strengthened and brought into line with other states, with the Commissioner able to immediately act on intelligence about extremists, terrorists and bikies, banning them from ever having weapons licences.
The reforms form part of the Government’s response to the recent coronial inquest into the murders of Matthew Arnold, Rachel McCrow and neighbour Alan Dare at Wieambilla in 2022, including the need for stronger intelligence sharing and enhanced tools to identify and manage individuals who pose an escalating threat to the community and police.
The Government reforms include:
- New mandatory mental health reporting requirements for high-risk patients through an extraordinary Ministerial Directive.
- A strengthened Firearm Prohibition Order scheme, further restricting dangerous offenders from accessing weapons and allowing police to more closely monitor individuals who pose a risk to community safety.
- Improved intelligence-sharingbetween the Queensland Police Service and Commonwealth national security agencies by removing barriers that currently limit critical collaboration.
- A $5.375 million investment in the latest drone and surveillance technology, deploying advanced capability across all police districts. This investment will deliver 60 extra drones and 30 additional trained police pilots.
- The Queensland Police Service will deploy Remote Piloted Air Systems capable of rapid launch, operating in difficult terrain, and strengthening policing, emergency services, and disaster management responses.
- Eradicating communications blackspotswith a more than $1 million invest to upgrade police vehicles with modern communications technology along with mobile kits, which will deliver high-speed internet and critical communications to strengthen frontline capability, particularly in regional, rural and remote Queensland.
Premier, David Crisafulli said the reforms to be introduced this week were tough, targeted and focused on keeping guns out of the hands of terrorists and criminals.
“The events at Wieambilla were a dark day for Queensland and we owe it to the victims and their families to make Queensland safer,” Premier Crisafulli said.
“This response backs our police with mental health reporting, stronger powers, improved intelligence sharing, and better technology to strengthen the frontline as they work to make Queensland safer.”
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, Tim Nicholls said new mandatory mental health reporting for high-risk individuals responded to the Coroner’s Wieambilla recommendations.
“We are taking action now, with mandatory mental health reporting for high-risk individuals, instead of waiting months for a study, and these changes will be effective from when the laws pass,” Minister Nicholls said.
“This is about providing police with information about high-risk individuals, from healthcare professionals working in Queensland Health.”
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie said the reforms would strengthen the Firearm Prohibition Order scheme and give police the powers to keep guns out of the hands of terrorists and criminals.
“The Crisafulli Government is strengthening the Firearm Prohibition Order scheme to keep guns out of the hands of extremists, terrorists and bikies,” Minister Purdie said.
“For too long, information barriers have made it harder for agencies to work together – we’re removing those roadblocks so police can stay one step ahead and make Queensland safer.
“These reforms are about protecting Queensland communities while making it absolutely clear that criminals who want access to guns will be met with the toughest possible laws.”
