Integrity and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022 (Qld)

An Act to amend the Auditor-General Act 2009, the Integrity Act 2009, the Ombudsman Act 2001, the Public Sector Act 2022 and the legislation mentioned in schedule 1 for particular purposes The Parliament of Queensland enacts—

Part 1 Preliminary

1 Short title This Act may be cited as the Integrity and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2022.

2 Commencement (1) This Act, other than sections 50 and 56, commences on a day to be fixed by proclamation. (2) Sections 50 and 56 commence on 1 March 2023, immediately after the commencement of the Public Sector Act 2022, section 3.

Part 2 Amendment of Auditor-General Act 2009

3 Act amended This part amends the Auditor-General Act 2009.

4 Amendment of s 6 (Auditor-general and audit office) (1) Section 6— insert— (1A) The auditor-general is an officer of the Parliament. (2) Section 6(1A) to (4)— renumber as section 6(2) to (5).

5 Amendment of s 8 (Auditor-general not subject to direction) Section 8(2)— omit.

6 Insertion of new ss 8A–8C After section 8— insert—

8A Audit office not public sector entity The audit office is an entity prescribed not to be a public sector entity for the Public Sector Act 2022, section 8(2)(s).

8B Audit office to comply with obligations relating to equity, diversity, respect and inclusion The audit office is an entity prescribed for the Public Sector Act 2022, section 25, definition prescribed entity, paragraph (c).

8C Application of provisions of Public Sector Act 2022 (1) A regulation may— (a) apply particular provisions of the Public Sector Act 2022, including, for example, particular directives made under the Public Sector Act 2022, to the audit office, the auditor-general and employees; and (b) provide for the way in which the provisions mentioned in paragraph (a) are to apply, including, for example, that they apply with or without change. (2) Before recommending to the Governor in Council the making of a regulation under subsection (1), the Minister must consult with the auditor-general about the proposed regulation. (3) If a regulation is made under subsection (1)— (a) the Public Sector Act 2022 applies to the audit office, the auditor-general and employees only to the extent provided for under the regulation; and (b) the Public Sector Act 2022 applies in the way mentioned in paragraph (a) with necessary changes. (4) Also, a regulation may prescribe anything necessary or convenient to be prescribed— (a) to enable a regulation under subsection (1) to be made; or (b) to carry out or give effect to a regulation made under subsection (1); or (c) because of the making of a regulation under subsection (1), including, for example, the portability of employment rights and entitlements.