---

One Funding System for Better Services Bill 2011

The One Funding System for Better Services Bill 2011 (PDF) will introduce a single, streamlined set of laws for providing Queensland Government funding to external entities such as non-government organisations, corporations and local governments. These new laws will establish a simpler, more consistent legal basis for supporting the work of these external entities and safeguarding the important products and services they deliver.

The Honourable Karen Struthers MP, Minister for Community Services and Housing and Minister for Women, introduced the Bill into Parliament on 6 September 2011. Go to Hansard Transcript, 6 September 2011 (PDF)to read Minister Struthers' introductory speech.

Development of the Bill

The Bill was designed to simplify regulation while providing consistent safeguards for publicly funded products and services. The new laws will establish a common set of rules for Queensland Government funding and will apply to all funding, unless specifically exempt.

As part of Queensland’s Regulatory Simplification Plan, the new laws will reduce red tape for organisations funded to deliver disability, housing and community services — saving approximately $3.5 million per year. The Bill achieves this by removing legislative requirements from disability, housing and community services laws that are no longer needed. For further information on these amendments, go to Amendments to disability, housing and community services laws.   

Importantly, the Bill was designed to prevent any additional administrative burden for organisations not currently funded under legislation.

Funded human services sector organisations and all state government departments provided valuable advice and input during the development of the Bill.

Next steps

There are still several steps to be followed before the new laws can take effect. The Bill is subject to the Queensland Parliamentary process and has been referred to the Health and Disabilities Committee for consideration.

If passed by Parliament, the Bill will only begin operating once systems and practices are in place to support its implementation. This will ensure a smooth changeover to the new laws without disrupting current funding arrangements.