Media Release
For immediate release
25/03/2025
This morning a group of disability advocacy organisations called on Queensland’s LNP Government to scrap their plan to delay implementation of long-awaited reforms to our Anti-Discrimination Act.
This comes after the Queensland Government recently announced they would be putting off the implementation of anti-discrimination reforms that were set to commence from 1 July 2025, in order to undertake further consultations.
“The Queensland disability community is deeply concerned by the Government’s announcement to delay these reforms. These changes are desperately needed and were the result of extensive consultation over many years.
“Queenslanders with disability have been waiting too long for these changes, with 59% of discrimination complaints concerning discrimination on the basis of disability. Now is not the time for more consultation, now is the time for implementation” said Matilda Alexander, Chief Executive of Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion.
The changes would mean that for the first time:
- Hate speech would be unlawful on the basis of disability
- Victims of crime, victims of domestic family violence and people experiencing homelessness would be protected from discrimination
- Businesses and others would have a legal requirement to prevent discrimination rather than just respond to it after it occurs
- People experiencing discrimination for multiple reasons would be protected
- Outdated and unworkable legal tests would finally be modernised.
The Disability Royal Commission showed that people with disability are more likely to experience violence and abuse compared to others. When this abuse happens in public, it can incite more hatred and abuse with devastating consequences for the person and broader community.
Many of these reforms were also recommended by the Disability Royal Commission and our community has been eagerly awaiting them. The hard work of dialogue between different interest groups has been done.
A delay to these reforms will mean people with disability will continue to experience unfair discrimination, hate speech, abuse and harm. A delay is a disproportionate response to people’s experiences and calls for stronger discrimination laws.
Justice delayed is justice denied.
The Queensland disability community is calling on the Queensland Government to proceed with the implementation of the anti-discrimination reforms as scheduled to commence on 1 July 2025.
For media enquiries please contact:
Matilda Alexander
Chief Executive Officer
Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion
Phone: 07 3844 4200
Email: matilda@qai.org.au
