Queensland Parliament sat late into the night in an emergency sitting to bolster the state's laws in the wake of the coronavirus crisis, bringing in extensive public health control measures and the ability to suspend or postpone the upcoming council elections.

Key points: Senior hospital staff were given greater powers to force individuals into isolation

Senior hospital staff were given greater powers to force individuals into isolation The laws also give Parliament the power to postpone or suspend the March council elections

The laws also give Parliament the power to postpone or suspend the March council elections The state's constitution was altered to allow the Government to convene via video conferencing

Electoral laws were modified, giving the State Government the authority to suspend the upcoming council elections and state government by-elections if the situation deteriorates.

Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the postal vote return dates could also be extended, given the unprecedented 540,000 registrations.

"The Government is tonight taking urgent measures to maximise public safety, minimise public health risks and maintain our democratic processes for local government elections in the face of an evolving public health emergency," he said.

Almost 100 cases of the virus have been recorded in the state since the outbreak began, with eight believed to have recovered so far.

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Powers to force individuals into isolation

Other laws rushed through on Wednesday included a $13,000 fine for anyone found flouting direct orders from Queensland's top health officials.

They come in addition to sweeping changes advised by the Federal Government earlier on Wednesday.

The state's constitution was altered to allow for ministers to convene with the Governor for the immediate ascension of bills via video conferencing, if needed.

Under the moves, the state's chief health officer and senior hospital staff were given greater powers to force individuals into isolation and will likely result in large gatherings in pubs, clubs, restaurants and entertainment venues being curbed.

Health Minister Steven Miles said supermarkets and chemists will now be able to remain open longer if required.

"An emergency officer may direct an owner or operator of any business or facility to open, close or limit visitor access to the facility for a specified period," he said.

"People may be directed to stay in their home, or another place decided by the emergency officer, for example, a hospital or other isolation area.

"Failure to adhere to directions under this legislation could incur a fine of up to $13,345.

"We need to be responsive and flexible and this means that measures to slow down this virus could be advertised at short notice."

The Queensland Council for Civil Liberties (QCCL) criticised the emergency health legislation as "concerning" saying if the State Government wants people to obey the laws, "people have to have the confidence that they are fair".

"The QCCL accepts that in a time of contagion the Government may need powers that trump individual rights," QCCL president Michael Cope said.

"But it is important to ensure that our civil liberties are protected by making sure that the Government does not get powers that are not needed.

"There appears to be good reason for thinking that this situation may last for at least 18 months. The Government needs to take the community with it. Rushing laws through Parliament and closing it down, is not the way to do that".

He said there was no reason why Parliament could not be given overnight to consider the legislation.

Opposition concerned over suspension of Parliament

During the late-night sitting, Leader of the House Yvette D'Ath moved a motion to suspend Parliament indefinitely for up to six months, giving the Speaker the discretion to reconvene a sitting beforehand if he sees fit.

"We are not in a position to make those decisions about what will come in the coming days, weeks or months," she said.

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"But if we do not provide a mechanism within the sessional orders, then despite us potentially being in a national or state lockdown, we still have to recall Parliament and go against everything that has actually been directed to protect the community and Queenslanders."

Opposition MP Jarrod Bleijie told Parliament an indefinite suspension could erase several crucial sitting weeks, including around the budget.

"I can't see how in two weeks, the health advice is going to be 'It's all better and now Parliament can now sit'," he said.

"The Government want to escape scrutiny and accountability for six months — colleagues, this could be your last sitting before the election.

"To dismiss this Parliament as their little plaything for the next six months is absolutely disgraceful."