The Queensland parliament will debate new police powers intended to help protect the community and further economic support for businesses when it resumes.

May 19, 2020

The woman touted as a future Queensland Labor leader will begin life as a backbencher when state parliament resumes.

Former Treasurer Jackie Trad fell on her sword earlier this month while parliament was suspended during the coronavirus crisis.

When it returns on Tuesday, it is likely new powers for police under the COVID-19 emergency response bill will be debated in the House.

These are understood to temporarily give officers the power to force Queenslanders to have COVID-19 tests if they are alleged to have committed offences, such as spitting or coughing.

Some of the other measures in the bill include further economic support for businesses affected by the lockdown and increased assistance to the disability sector.

The Palaszczuk government will also seek to pass a bill that would include industrial manslaughter as an offence in the state’s resources safety legislation.

Parliament was adjourned in March amid fears a COVID-19 lockdown could prevent its return until after the October election.

It resumed for one day in April to push through changes to tenancy laws to protect landlords and tenants affected by the crisis.

Just a handful of Labor and Liberal National Party members were scattered across the chamber floor in line with social distancing rules.

It is expected the same restrictions will apply when the House returns on Tuesday.

Ms Trad’s shock resignation followed revelations she was facing her second corruption investigation in 12 months.

Queensland’s Crime and Corruption Commission is investigating Ms Trad over allegations she interfered with the selection of the principal for a new high school located in her South Brisbane seat.

Ms Trad denies the claims.

This is the second time Ms Trad has been investigated by the state’s corruption watchdog.

It was revealed in late 2019 she had failed to properly declare the purchase of a $695,500 home in March of that year.

The property was located in the inner-Brisbane suburb of Woolloongabba, near one of the stations being built as part of the Cross River Rail project she was overseeing at the time.

The CCC found no evidence to support a reasonable suspicion of corrupt conduct, but it did push for changes to the way conflicts are dealt with and the introduction of criminal penalties.