Train project saga chugging along as parliament resumes

Further questions are expected over what Transport Minister Mark Bailey has said was a staff error. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)

Debate over budget hearings and laws to bolster the protection of children are on the agenda when Queensland parliament resumes, while the opposition is determined to maintain its attacks on the Palaszczuk government's $2.4 billion train project blowout.

As MPs return from the winter break on Tuesday, individual committees' estimates reports are expected to take a full day before parliament delves into amendments to the Child Protection (Offender Reporting and Offender Prohibition Order) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022.

Amendments will require reportable offenders to report the use or possession of anonymising software and the possession of 'vault and black hole' applications on digital devices to police. 

Prescribed new offences if committed using an electronic communication network or digital device are also tabled, and the introduction of a new indictable offence for failing to comply with a requirement to produce a digital device.

Greater protections are also slated for the contact information of children with whom a reportable offender has had reported contact. 

Amendments to enhance police monitoring of reportable offenders and provide for the protection of the lives and sexual safety of children, form part of the bill. 

Meanwhile, the state's opposition will use parliament reconvening to have another crack at Transport Minister Mark Bailey and a $2.4 billion cost increase to the government's train building project.

The government has faced weeks of questions over its handling of the project to build 65 passenger trains in the state.

The saga began when Mr Bailey's office issued a media release on June 30 announcing the contract to build trains in Maryborough would cost $7.1 billion.

It was later revealed the total cost had risen to $9.5 billion, which Mr Bailey's office removed from an earlier draft.

Mr Bailey later apologised and blamed staff error due to the release being drafted before the contract was finalised, telling a budget hearing this month that he took responsibility for the "stuff up".

It was also revealed at the hearing that an email from Mr Bailey's office suggested the transport department not use the $9.5 billion figure in communications.

On Monday night, the Department of Premier and Cabinet announced an investigation had found Mr Bailey's office had not told "any public service employee" to make the change.

It did not appear to address the issue of why the information was removed.

Premier Annastasia Palaszczuk had also apologised over the omission of the $9.5 billion figure, which was approved during budget talks in May.

Deputy opposition leader Jarrod Bleijie has said Ms Palaszczuk needs to say whether or not she signed off on the near $10 billion contract.

"Did the premier ask the questions or was she derelict in her duties and she simply forget about the $9.5 billion project?" Mr Bleijie said on Monday.

"These are the questions that the premier must answer this week when parliament resumes."

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