Queensland LNP Council Votes for Ban on Flag Burning, Transgenders in Women’s Bathrooms

Here are some other takeaways from the weekend’s LNP State Council meeting.

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie (L) and Premier David Crisafulli arrive to talk to media after being sworn in at Government House in Brisbane, Australia, on Oct. 28, 2024. AAP Image/Jono Searle

Queensland’s Liberal National Party (LNP) State Council members have backed several resolutions at their latest meeting including banning transgenders from single sex bathrooms, banning Australian flag burning, and phasing out payroll tax.

The State Council meets twice a year and is comprised of the heads of local branches, all state and federal MPs, and policy chairs. It is a smaller meeting compared to the State Convention.

The resolutions represent the will of key decision-makers and organisers, and can be an indication of the membership’s attitude towards certain issues.

Their resolutions do not have binding power on MPs or the partyroom, who can later take the recommendations on board for consideration.

On the Gold Coast over the weekend of Nov. 8-9—federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley and former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott was also in attendance—26 resolutions were up for consideration, here are some of the key ones.

Phased Reduction of Payroll Tax

The State Council backed the gradual phase out of payroll tax from its current 4.75-4.95 percent rate, to 2.5 percent by 2028, and complete abolition in 2032.

Payroll tax is a state-based tax employers pay on top of the total wages paid to employees.

Groups like the Institute of Public Affairs and the Australian Institute for Progress have argued for its removal saying it could make the state more attractive for business.

Ban on Transgenders in Single-Sex Bathrooms

A motion put forth by the LNP’s Women’s branch called for the state to enact legislation that would require bathrooms and changerooms be allowed for men and women of that biological sex.

The motion made an exception for children aged up to eight years’ of age in order for them to accompany their parents where needed.

The motion was carried.

Criminalisation of Flag Burning

Another successful motion was for the burning of national and state flags to be criminalised.

While freedom of expression was acknowledged, there were concerns the act itself had become too prevalent.

Defunding the Environmental Defenders Office

A motion was carried to defund the Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) at a federal level.

The EDO provides free or low‑cost legal advice and representation to groups who file lawsuits against developers or miners, and has been accused by Liberal Party members of disruptive legal activism.

While the organisation is not fully government-funded, it received around $500,000 from Queensland taxpayers in the 2024-25 financial year.

Sale of ABC, SBS Not Supported

One motion called upon the federal Coalition to sell both two public broadcasters, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) with the view of creating a new company focused on servicing regional Australia, where private outlets cannot operate profitably.

The motion did not pass with concerns that the SBS was still salvageable.

Rework Needed for Migration Resolution

While the mood in the State Council was that immigration numbers needed to come down, the resolution itself which called for tying migration numbers to housing supply, did not pass.

A revised resolution may be passed at the next meeting.