The Queensland LNP government has delayed indefinitely anti-discrimination law reform designed to protect working women, survivors of family and domestic violence and other vulnerable members of the community.
In a shameful move, Attorney-General Deb Frecklington delayed the commencement of laws placing a positive duty on Queensland employers that would require them to take all reasonable steps to prevent sex-based harassment and discrimination.
Union members held a Don’t Delay Respect at Work Rally on 1 April (pictured) calling on the LNP state government to abandon its delay of the reforms, which was attended by a number of MPs from the Labor opposition.
Sexual harassment remains prevalent with one in three workers experiencing it in their workplace in the past five years.
The reforms would also prevent discrimination because a person is homeless, a victim of family or domestic violence, on the basis of physical appearance or due to irrelevant components of a criminal record (such as withdrawn charges).
Reforms followed extensive consultation
The Respect at Work and Other Matters Amendment Act was passed in September 2024 after a three-and-a-half-year consultation process.
The indefinite delay was announced without consultation with the Queensland Human Rights Commission (QHRC), the statutory body that led the consultation process.
Queensland Human Rights Commissioner Scott McDougall said the lack of consultation with QHRC “was in stark contrast to [Premier] Crisafulli’s promise to uphold the Westminster system of government”.
“It’s concerning that the level of respect that our Westminster system the government relies upon to ensure we don’t descend into chaos has not been evidenced…” he said.
Government pressing pause on important protections
IEU-QNT Assistant Secretary Nicole Kapernick said the state LNP government had essentially “pressed pause” on important protections for Queenslanders.
“These Respect at Work reforms were the result of wide consultation and a clear finding that better protections were needed,” Nicole said.
“Pressing pause on these protections without any clear justification is a shameful political act.
“While the government dithers, there are working women and survivors of family and domestic violence who are not adequately protected from harassment and discrimination.
“The Crisafulli government must acknowledge the consultation work that identified the clear need for these laws.
“The Crisafulli government must abandon its pause on these crucial anti-discrimination protections for Queenslanders,” Nicole said.
