Attorney-General and Minister for Industrial Relations
The Honourable Cameron Dick

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

New central tribunal to improve access to justice for Queenslanders

Attorney-General Cameron Dick tonight introduced a bill into State Parliament which will streamline access to civil and administrative justice in Queensland.

Mr Dick said the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal Bill will enable the creation of a new central tribunal (QCAT), to make it easier for Queenslanders with civil and administrative matters to access the appropriate support and information.

“This Bill represents the Bligh Government’s commitment to a fair, open and accessible justice system, that reflects the needs of Queenslanders in the 21st Century,” Mr Dick said.

“The Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal will simplify access to justice in our state, by amalgamating the jurisdictions of 23 bodies, into a single one-stop-shop.

“This change represents the most significant structural reform to Queensland’s justice system in 50 years, since the re-establishment of the District Court in 1959.”

Mr Dick said QCAT will focus on:
• resolving disputes;
• reviewing decisions of government agencies and statutory bodies;
• making guardianship and administration orders; and
• conducting disciplinary proceedings for a range of professions and occupations.

“The creation of QCAT presents a great opportunity for this government to deliver improved justice services to the community,” Mr Dick said.

“It has been designed to have a strong focus on providing efficient, effective and affordable justice for clients, in an less intimidating setting.

“In particular, the tribunal will provide a more user-friendly and flexible approach to settling disputes that have previously been handled by the courts and existing tribunals.

“As the needs of Queenslanders continue to change, the tribunal will also be able to absorb new areas of responsibility, which will prevent the ad-hoc proliferation of tribunals that has occurred in the past.”

Mr Dick said the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal Bill sets out the powers of QCAT and some of its procedures, while a second bill, the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (Jurisdictional Provisions) Bill, amends more than 200 pieces of legislation to give the tribunal its wide-ranging jurisdiction.


“This is a major step towards the implementation of QCAT,” he said.

“Pending the passing of the bill, the new tribunal is expected to be up and running on December 1 this year.”

From 1 December a QCAT website will provide information on how to access the new tribunal. Until then the tribunals review website www.tribunalsreview.qld.gov.au provides information about the project.


Media contact: 3239 3487

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