Translink officers get greater powers on public transport
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Queensland Parliament has passed laws giving public transport authorities increased powers to deal with passengers who commit criminal offences.
Transport Minister John Mickel says the laws will allow Translink officers to use reasonable force to remove people from buses, trains and ferries for offences such as assault and wilful damage.
He told Parliament they will be trained to detain, search and hand-cuff offenders.
"Transit officers will be able to deal with less serious situations themselves, lowering the police workload," he said.
The Opposition voted against the move.
Opposition transport spokeswoman Fiona Simpson says it makes Transit officers defacto police.
"We are concerned for public safety and want to see real police officers providing that level of service," she said.
Courts will also have specific powers to ban people from public transport.
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