Queensland Businesses, Organisations Now Have Legal Duty to Prevent Discrimination Before it Occurs

The new laws have raised concerns about free speech and red tape for business owners.

Demonstrators attend a Black Lives Matter protest to express solidarity with US protestors at King George Square in Brisbane on June 6, 2020 and demand an end to frequent Aboriginal deaths in custody in Australia. Tens of thousands of Australians defied government calls to stay at home on June 6, spilling onto the streets for Black Lives Matter protests in major towns and cities across the country. (Photo by Patrick HAMILTON / AFP) Photo by PATRICK HAMILTON/AFP via Getty Images

Queensland’s Parliament has passed the most significant changes to the state’s Anti-Discrimination Act since its introduction over 30 years ago, placing a new onus on businesses, organisations and government agencies.

Managers and business owners will now be responsible for preventing discrimination before it occurs, rather than merely responding to it—while significantly expanding the categories of people protected under the Act.