MEDIA STATEMENT: Crisafulli Government to consult on anti-discrimination laws 

Crisafulli Government to consult on anti-discrimination laws 

• Crisafulli Government delivers election commitment to consult further about next steps for anti-discrimination law.
• Labor’s flawed anti-discrimination reforms to be paused.
• Concerns raised about impact of the changes on Queensland Government licensing schemes. 

The Crisafulli Government will pause implementation of Labor’s flawed changes to the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991, and allow further consultation and policy work. 

Major changes to Queensland’s anti-discrimination laws were pushed through Parliament in the dying days of the former Miles Government and due to commence on 1 July 2025. 

The pause honours a Crisafulli Government election commitment to consult with stakeholders about the next steps for anti-discrimination law in Queensland. 

The amendments that were scheduled to commence were included in the Respect at Work and Other Matters Amendment Act 2024 (the RAW Act), which was passed by Parliament in September 2024. 

Advice provided to the Crisafulli Government by the Department of Justice and other agencies suggests new protected attributes for discrimination, including ‘irrelevant criminal record’, could impact on certain statutory decision-making schemes.  

Of particular concern is whether that new attribute will undermine a number of high-risk discretionary decisions, including decisions relating to weapons licensing, police protection notices or security provider licensing. 

The planned 1 July 2025 commencement date does not allow sufficient time for consultation. 

This may lead to further legislative changes to fix unintended and unwanted consequences – and create an unnecessary burden on organisations and institutions already taking steps to comply with the reforms. 

The Crisafulli Government will progress amendments to delay the start of reforms until a date to be set by proclamation. 

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Deb Frecklington said delaying the commencement date was a sensible decision to provide certainty to stakeholders. 

“Reforming discrimination law is a difficult and complex process that attracts significant stakeholder interest, which is why it shouldn’t have been rushed by the former Labor government,” Attorney-General Frecklington said. 

“Given the importance of protecting Queenslanders from harassment and vilification, it is essential to ensure our laws are fit for purpose. 

“This is why our government committed to consult with Queenslanders about the next step for anti-discrimination law in our state. 

“The current timeline for commencement does not provide sufficient time to address potential issues and unintended consequences, nor does it allow time for further consultation without being burdensome on organisations working to comply with the new laws. 

“Delaying commencement is the only sensible option to ensure we have sufficient time to consult with Queenslanders and ensure the settings of the legislation are appropriate.” 

ENDS