The bill was rubber-stamped by an LNP-led committee on Friday, a week after being referred to the system meant to review laws under the state parliament’s lack of an upper house.

The government argued the rush, disproportionate impact on First Nations kids, and overriding of human rights laws was justified to meet its election commitment and address crime rates that had risen recently.

What they said

“While we acknowledge the outcome of the election and the policy that was taken to it by the LNP, that policy was in slogan and infancy form at best,” Scanlon told parliament on Tuesday night.

She also highlighted the fact the Queensland Police Service did not make a submission or appear before the committee, despite it being required to enact many of the new laws.

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Responding to the opposition’s pitch for more time, Frecklington said: “All they want to do with this amendment is say to the people of Queensland, ‘Be afraid over Christmas. Be afraid on Boxing Day.’”

Frecklington was forced to withdraw her comment about the opposition “laughing at victims” after Labor frontbencher Grace Grace took offence and accused her of misleading parliament.

Frecklington also flagged coming “technical amendments” to “strengthen and clarify” the bill, to be introduced during the final stages of its passage before 5.30pm on Thursday.

Another perspective

Greens Maiwar MP Michael Berkman, a member of the committee that led the inquiry into the bill and who wrote his own dissenting report, described the process as “frankly, a sham”.

“Let’s send the whole bill back. Let’s think about it properly, let’s take our time and actually do our jobs as legislators,” he said.

Police told Brisbane Times last week the agency did not “seek to attend” the committee hearings or briefings, and was not invited, despite being “committed to supporting” it through such work.