Anti-discrimination laws will undergo review to ensure they better protect Queenslanders from discrimination, promote equality and meet international best practice.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Shannon Fentiman has formally requested the Queensland Human Rights Commission to undertake a review of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991, announcing the Terms of Reference today.
"Making sure our laws protect and promote equality for our diverse communities is a key priority for the Palaszczuk government," Minister Fentiman said.
"I've written to Human Rights Commissioner Scott McDougall asking the Commission to review the Anti-Discrimination Act to consider whether any reforms are needed to update the laws to best protect and promote equality, non-discrimination and the realisation of human rights.
"It will consider how we can make the process easier for victims of discrimination to make and defend complaints as well options for ways to better use dispute resolution to address systemic discriminations as well as discrimination complaints that raise public interest issues."
In undertaking its review, the independent Commission will take into account Australian and international best practices in the area and the compatibility of the Act with Queensland's Human Rights Act, which commenced in full on 1 January 2020.
The Attorney said the Commission will consider the protected attributes under the legislation, including whether the current definitions best promote the rights to equality and non-discrimination and whether additional attributes should be introduced.
