On Friday the 14 March 2025, the Minister for Justice and Integrity, The Honourable Deborah (Deb) Frecklington released a media statement declaring a pause has been made on the Queensland anti-discrimination laws.
The previous amendments to the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld) were due to commence on 1 July 2025. However, these amendments have since been paused to allow for further consultation with relevant stakeholders before their commencement.
The pause follows a change in leadership of the Queensland Government, who committed to reviewing the amendments if elected.
The amendments sought to be made, include:
1. Broadened attributes protected under the anti-discrimination law, including combinations with 2 or more attributes. New attributes included:
Expunged conviction, homelessness, irrelevant criminal record, irrelevant medical record, physical appearance and subjection to domestic or family violence.
2. A positive duty on for all businesses, organisations and government agencies to proactively eliminate all unlawful discrimination, harassment and other objectionable conduct.
3. Longer timeframes to make complaints to the QHRC.
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.
The pause 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 determine a number of high-risk discretionary decisions, including decisions relating to weapons licensing, police protection notices and or security provider licensing.
The Qld Government will pursue consultation with relevant stakeholders as to how to better improve the amendments.
The pause is currently indefinite, with Government claiming they require further consultation before being able to propose changes to the amendments and new dates.
Vocare Law is well equipped to assist schools, educational institutions, businesses and not-for-profit clients with a wealth of collective knowledge and decades experience providing insight and advice in the area of workplace discrimination. Please don’t hesitate to contact our office if you have any questions on 1300-VOC-LAW / 1300-862-529 or email: enquiry@vocarelaw.com.au
This update was written by William Johnson, Law Clerk.
**The information contained herein does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice and is for general informational purposes only.
