Qld parly s last sitting week extended 20151201 p5ttcz.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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Qld parly's last sitting week extended

AAP

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An extra day has been added to Queensland Parliament's last sitting week for 2015 to ensure key pieces of legislation, like civil partnerships, are pushed through.

Parliament, to commence on Tuesday, normally rises on Thursday but will instead sit to the end of the working week.

A government bill to reintroduce civil partnerships for same-sex couples is expected to pass, with Opposition MPs allowed a free vote on the issue.

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The Opposition is also expecting support from crossbench MPs to increase Queensland's three-year parliamentary terms to four years to bring the state into line with other jurisdictions.

In turn, Katter's Australian Party (KAP) is expecting support from the Opposition to increase the number of MPs in state parliament to improve representation in rural areas.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has already indicated the government won't be supporting the legislation, meaning it - like a lot of debates this week - could be decided in the hung parliament by controversial Independent MP Billy Gordon.

"We've made it very clear we don't believe our parliament needs more members," Ms Palaszczuk said.

The government is also opposed to another KAP bill that aims to give canegrowers more control over sugar marketing.

Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg has indicated the Liberal National Party will introduce amendments to ensure the sugar industry isn't completely re-regulated that will make it more inclined to support the bill.

Mr Springborg also indicated one of the Opposition's main focuses will be hounding the government about the future of embattled Police Minister Jo-Ann Miller.

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