We are pleased that the Queensland Government will consider amending the Civil Liability Act 2003 (Qld) to extend statutory protections to Queensland good Samaritans responding to environmental disasters.
In their Government Response to the Inquiry into Volunteering in Queensland, the Queensland Government has agreed to consider the above reform, as recommended by the Inquiry Committee and as advocated by HopgoodGanim Lawyers and members of the Queensland community legal sector.
In our submission to the Inquiry into Volunteering, we highlighted why this reform is essential:
- Good Samaritans save lives during disasters - community responders have been critical in recent flood and cyclone events, often stepping in before formal help arrives.
- They take significant personal risks in unpredictable, high pressure environments and deserve legal clarity when acting in good faith.
- Queensland lags behind other states that already provide statutory immunity for spontaneous emergency responders.
- Confusion about existing protections may discourage people from helping - many Queenslanders incorrectly assume Good Samaritan laws already exist.
- Climate driven disasters are increasing, and with formal volunteer numbers declining, spontaneous community response is becoming more essential than ever.
This reform also speaks directly to HopgoodGanim’s Pro Bono Impact Strategy, which identifies mitigating the impact of environmental disasters as a core priority.
Our strategy commits us to: