Queensland Parliament Wraps Up Sitting Week Amid Major Policy Debates and CFMEU Inquiry

Queensland Parliament and CFMEU Inquiry Dominate Political Agenda

The political landscape in Brisbane is exceptionally active today, Thursday, 12 February 2026, as both state and judicial sessions converge. Key activities include the final day of the current Queensland Parliamentary sitting block and significant public hearings regarding the construction industry at the Brisbane Magistrates Court.

State Parliament Concludes Three-Day Sitting

The Queensland Legislative Assembly is meeting today for the final session of its scheduled three-day sitting week. Lawmakers are engaged in intense debates following the introduction of landmark legislation earlier this week by the Crisafulli Government. The session serves as the closing chapter for this fortnight's legislative activity, with several high-priority items on the notice paper.

The primary focus of today’s proceedings involves:

• Continued debate on the proposed gun control laws, which seek to restrict firearm licenses to Australian citizens while providing specific exemptions for primary producers and sporting shooters.
• Progressing the government's new hate speech legislation, which aims to criminalize the public display or recitation of proscribed phrases intended to cause menace or harassment.
• Question Time, where ministers are expected to face scrutiny regarding the state’s transport infrastructure and the ongoing rollout of the "More Homes, Sooner" housing initiative.

Commission of Inquiry into CFMEU Holds Public Hearings

In addition to parliamentary activity, the Commission of Inquiry into the CFMEU and Misconduct in the Construction Industry is holding a full day of public hearings today. The sessions are taking place in Courtroom 17 of the Brisbane Magistrates Court and are being livestreamed to ensure transparency in the investigative process.

The schedule for today's hearing includes three major sessions:

• Session One: 10:00 am – 11:15 am
• Session Two: 11:30 am – 12:45 pm
• Session Three: 2:00 pm – 3:15 pm

The inquiry is currently reviewing witness statements and various exhibits as part of its mandate to investigate claims of misconduct and provide recommendations to the state government for improving accountability within the construction sector.

Local Government: Suburban Density Plans Under Scrutiny

While the Brisbane City Council does not have an ordinary full meeting today, the political fallout from recent council decisions continues to ripple through City Hall. The Lord Mayor’s "anti-sprawl" strategy remains a point of contention as the recently passed zoning uplifts for Chermside and Upper Mount Gravatt begin their transition to the community feedback phase. These plans, which allow for higher-density apartment living near major shopping centers, are a cornerstone of the city's strategy to accommodate a growing population ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games.