Legal protection for good deeds mooted
Queensland’s “good Samaritans” could be given legal protection to lend aid in emergency situations under amendments proposed by state Opposition Leader Jeff Seeney.
He has introduced an amendment to the Civil Liability Act 2003 that would grant legal immunity from civil liability laws for those who act in good faith and without reckless disregard during an emergency.
Mr Seeney says the Coalition was prompted to introduce the new laws after the Delmae Barton case last year, in which an elderly woman lay at a Griffith University bus stop for more than five hours before receiving medical help.
“In Queensland, legal protection is only extended in very limited circumstances to certain people, such as doctors and nurses, to assist in emergency situations,” he said.
Similar laws granting protection from civil liability laws are already in place in Victoria and WA.
He has introduced an amendment to the Civil Liability Act 2003 that would grant legal immunity from civil liability laws for those who act in good faith and without reckless disregard during an emergency.
Mr Seeney says the Coalition was prompted to introduce the new laws after the Delmae Barton case last year, in which an elderly woman lay at a Griffith University bus stop for more than five hours before receiving medical help.
“In Queensland, legal protection is only extended in very limited circumstances to certain people, such as doctors and nurses, to assist in emergency situations,” he said.
Similar laws granting protection from civil liability laws are already in place in Victoria and WA.