Queensland is set to introduce mandatory mental health reporting for high-risk patients as part of a package of reforms aimed at keeping firearms out of the hands of criminals and extremists, in response to the Wieambilla shootings.
Legislation introduced to Parliament this week will require professional carers within Queensland Health to notify police when they assess an individual as posing a higher risk of committing violence with a weapon. The change will be implemented through a rare Ministerial Directive, issued for only the third time since 2011, following consultation with the state’s Chief Psychiatrist.
Under the directive, health professionals will be required to make a referral to the Queensland Police Service under section 151 of the Weapons Act when a patient is assessed as high risk. The measure will take effect as soon as the Fighting Antisemitism and Keeping Guns out of the hands of Terrorists and Criminals Bill passes Parliament.
The reforms also strengthen the state’s Firearm Prohibition Order scheme, giving the Police Commissioner expanded powers to act immediately on intelligence related to extremists, terrorists and bikie gangs, permanently banning them from holding weapons licences. Existing requirements for licence applicants to declare neurological conditions, psychiatric disorders, psychological issues and alcohol or drug history will remain in place.
The package includes expanded intelligence sharing between Queensland Police, Queensland Health and Commonwealth national security agencies, removing barriers that have limited cooperation between agencies. Police capability will also be boosted through new investments in technology, including $5.375 million for drone and surveillance systems, delivering 60 additional drones and 30 trained police pilots across all districts.
The reforms also strengthen the state’s Firearm Prohibition Order scheme, giving the Police Commissioner expanded powers to act immediately on intelligence related to extremists, terrorists and bikie gangs, permanently banning them from holding weapons licences
Remote Piloted Air Systems will be deployed to operate in difficult terrain and support policing, emergency services and disaster responses. More than $1 million will be invested to upgrade police vehicles and mobile kits with modern communications technology, addressing blackspots and improving connectivity, particularly in regional, rural and remote Queensland.
The measures form part of the government’s response to the coronial inquest into the 2022 murders of police officers Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow, and neighbour Alan Dare at Wieambilla, which highlighted the need for stronger intelligence sharing and better tools to identify and manage escalating threats.
Premier David Crisafulli said the reforms were designed to directly address those failures. “The events at Wieambilla were a dark day for Queensland and we owe it to the victims and their families to make Queensland safer,” he said. “This response backs our police with mental health reporting, stronger powers, improved intelligence sharing, and better technology to strengthen the frontline as they work to make Queensland safer.”
Health Minister Tim Nicholls said the changes reflected the coroner’s recommendations and would be implemented without delay. “We are taking action now, with mandatory mental health reporting for high-risk individuals, instead of waiting months for a study, and these changes will be effective from when the laws pass,” he said. “This is about providing police with information about high-risk individuals, from healthcare professionals working in Queensland Health.”
Police Minister Dan Purdie said the strengthened Firearm Prohibition Order scheme would close gaps that had previously limited enforcement. “The Crisafulli Government is strengthening the Firearm Prohibition Order scheme to keep guns out of the hands of extremists, terrorists and bikies,” he said. “For too long, information barriers have made it harder for agencies to work together—we’re removing those roadblocks so police can stay one step ahead and make Queensland safer. These reforms are about protecting Queensland communities while making it absolutely clear that criminals who want access to guns will be met with the toughest possible laws.”
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