Queensland's 'election corruption gag one day, gone the next' legislation farce has prompted a new call from the journalists' union.

While welcoming a decision by attorney-general Yvette D'Ath to withdraw legislation banning reporting of complaints or allegations made to the Crime and Corruption Commission during state elections, Australia's Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance says the state government needs to "show it is fully committed to the public's right to know".

It has called for laws to protect journalists who decline to reveal sources, describing Queensland as the last jurisdiction in Australia not to have shield law protection for journalists

MEAA Queensland regional director Michelle Rae says the lack of shield laws follows numerous entreaties to successive governments of both political stripes. "Shield laws allow journalists to claim qualified legal privilege to protect their sources," she said.

"The protection of sources is a fundamental responsibility for ethical journalism recognised the world over. Without this protection, whistleblowers and other sources would be more reluctant to provide to journalists information which is critical for the public's right to know, to shine a light on injustices and to hold governments and powerful interests to account. Consequently, our democracy would be diminished."

Rae (pictured) points to the case of one Queensland journalist currently facing further court action for protecting a confidential source. "Journalists are not above the law but shield laws recognise the important role of public interest journalism in our democracy.

"Importantly, shield laws in other jurisdictions still allow for journalist privilege to be waived if a judicial officer is satisfied that it is in the public interest to do so."

She said Queensland already had a low standing for press freedom among Australian states and territories, "before the botched introduction of legislation which would have gagged journalists from reporting if an election candidate was under investigation for corruption.

"The Palaszczuk Government could improve this reputation by introducing shield laws with bipartisan support from the State Opposition."