Anti-discrimination legislation open for consultation

• Anti-discrimination Bill released for public consultation.
• The Bill modernises and strengthens Queensland’s anti-discrimination laws.
• Consultation closes on 22 March 2024.

Proposed legislation to modernise and strengthen Queensland’s anti-discrimination laws has been released for public consultation.

The Miles Government is asking Queenslanders to share their views on the draft Anti-Discrimination Bill, which has been designed to protect people more effectively from discrimination, sexual harassment, vilification and victimisation and other unlawful conduct.

The Bill was developed in response to recommendations made by the Queensland Human Rights Commission in its Building Belonging: Review of Queensland’s Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 report.

Among key proposed amendments, the Bill expands the range of protected attributes in the Act to include irrelevant criminal record, physical features and those subjected to domestic and family violence and homelessness.

While the definitions of some protected attributes are updated and modernised such as sex work activity and disability.

Employers and certain organisations will have a duty to proactively take reasonable and proportionate measures to eliminate discrimination, sexual harassment, vilification and victimisation.

A positive duty will also require employers and certain organisations to make reasonable accommodations for a person with a disability.

The Queensland Human Rights Commission will be given new powers and functions, including a regulatory approach to support compliance with the new duties and obligations.

The Bill also updates provisions for complaints and dispute resolution to allow for greater flexibility, while other amendments aim to make the law easier to understand and apply.

The draft legislation, a consultation guide and other resources are available on the Department of Justice and Attorney-General website: https://www.justice.qld.gov.au/community-engagement/community-consultation/current/anti-discrimination-bill-2024.

Written submissions can be emailed to adactreview@justice.qld.gov.au up until 5pm on Friday 22 March 2024.

Quotes attributable to the acting Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Leanne Linard:

“In the three decades that have passed since Queensland first introduced Anti-Discrimination legislation, society’s understanding and attitudes towards harassment, discrimination and vilification have changed considerably.

“The Anti-Discrimination Bill we have drafted in response to the Human Rights Commission’s recommendations better reflects a contemporary understanding of equality.

“The Bill represents significant law reform for our State, and it aims to strike a fair balance between competing rights and interests.

“Unlike the current legislation, the Bill adopts a more proactive approach to the identification and elimination of systemic causes of discrimination.

“The Queensland Government is committed to working with the community to protect all people from discrimination and sexual harassment and I welcome the community’s feedback on this important legislation.”

ENDS

Media contact - Scott Chandler – (07) 3719 7339 (Minister Linard)

Cullen Robinson - 0418 170 474 (Attorney-General's office)