Bill Lets QRIDA Force People to Provide Information to Recover Funds; Fines for Leaking Criminal History or Hiding Convictions
Rural and Regional Adjustment Amendment Bill 2026
Topics
corporate governance criminal justice criminal penalties government accountability government oversight privacy public finance
Introduced by: The Hon Dale Last MP (LNP) — Minister for Manufacturing, Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Minister for Regional and Rural Development
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) can only provide financial assistance if it is part of a scheme approved by the Minister or by regulation.
QRIDA must publish clear guidelines for its assistance schemes, including who is eligible, how to apply, and how the assistance is calculated.
The CEO of QRIDA can compel people to provide information or documents if the CEO believes QRIDA needs to recover financial assistance, cancel assistance, or add conditions to it.
People who receive financial assistance must repay it as a debt to QRIDA if they breach a condition, provide false or misleading information, or received the money by mistake.
People affected by a decision to recover financial assistance can apply for an internal review. If they are unhappy with the internal review result, they can apply to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) for a further review.
An application for internal review suspends the original decision until the CEO of QRIDA makes a final determination.
People who fail to provide information or documents when required by the CEO of QRIDA can be fined up to 100 penalty units (2026: $17,270).
People who provide documents under a compulsory notice have limited immunity, meaning those documents cannot be used against them in court to incriminate them, except in cases where the documents are false or misleading.
The Minister can request criminal history reports from the Police Commissioner to decide if a person is fit to be a QRIDA director or CEO, provided the person gives written consent.
The Minister, their staff, and public servants managing the Act can be fined up to 100 penalty units (2026: $17,270) if they disclose or use a person's criminal history information for unauthorized purposes.
People are banned from becoming or remaining a QRIDA director or CEO if they have a non-spent conviction for a serious (indictable) offence, are an insolvent under administration, or are disqualified from managing corporations.
QRIDA directors and the CEO must immediately tell the Minister if they are convicted of a serious (indictable) offence, become insolvent, or are disqualified from managing corporations. Failure to do so carries a fine of up to 100 penalty units (2026: $17,270).
The CEO of QRIDA cannot hold other paid jobs or run a business without written approval from the board.