Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Queensland)

Anti-Discrimination Act 1991
Parliament of Queensland
Long title An Act to promote equality of opportunity for everyone by protecting them from unfair discrimination in certain areas of activity and from sexual harassment and certain associated objectionable conduct.
Passed	3 December 1991
Royal assent	9 December 1991
Commenced	30 June 1992
Introduced by	Hon. D. M. Wells (Murrumba – Attorney-General)
Status: Current legislation

The Queensland Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 is an act of the Parliament of Queensland that provides protection against unfair discrimination, sexual harassment, and other objectionable conduct. ^[1] The Act was passed by the Queensland Parliament on 3 December 1991, received assent on 9 December 1991, and commenced on 30 June 1992. ^[2]

Scope of the Act

The Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 prohibits discrimination on the basis of the following attributes:

• Sex
• Relationship status
• Pregnancy
• Parental status
• Breastfeeding
• Age
• Race
• Impairment
• Religious belief or religious activity
• Political belief or activity
• Trade union activity
• Lawful sexual activity
• Gender identity
• Sexuality
• Family responsibilities
• Association with, or relation to, a person identified on the basis of any of the above attributes. ^[3]

Areas

The areas of activity where discrimination is unlawful are:

• Work and work related (includes applying for work, voluntary work, employment, work under a contract, partnerships, employment agencies, work experience and work under a training program)
• Education
• Supplying goods or services
• Accommodation (includes residential and commercial premises)
• Administration of State laws or programs (includes State government departments and statutory authorities performing functions under an Act)
• Club membership and affairs (does not include not-for-profit associations and clubs)
• Superannuation
• Insurance
• Disposing of land (for example, selling, leasing)
• Local government members (between local government members performing official functions, except on the basis of political belief or activity).

Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland

The implementation of the Act saw the establishment of the Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland, an independent statutory body to resolve complaints of discrimination, sexual harassment, vilification, victimisation and other contraventions of the Anti-Discrimination Act, as well as to promote an understanding, acceptance, and public discussion of human rights in Queensland. ^[4]

Legacy

In 2016, the Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland and State Library of Queensland marked the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Act, by creating seven short videos exploring the impact of the Act on Queenslanders and feature interviews with activists, politicians, community advocates and social justice professionals. ^{[5] [6]}

On 1 July 2019, with the commencement of the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld) the Commission was renamed as the Queensland Human Rights Commission. ^[7]

See also

• List of anti-discrimination acts

References

1. "ADCQ : Legislation". adcq.qld.gov.au. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
2. "ADCQ : Frequently Asked Questions". adcq.qld.gov.au. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
3. "Anti-Discrimination Act 1991". austlii.edu.au. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
4. "ADCQ : About us". adcq.qld.gov.au. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
5. Robinson, Olivia (17 November 2016). "25 years of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991". John Oxley Library Blog. State Library of Queensland. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
6. "ADCQ : Human rights in focus". adcq.qld.gov.au. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
7. "About us". Queensland Human Rights Commission. The State of Queensland (Queensland Human Rights Commission). Retrieved 20 February 2025.

External links

• Anti-Discrimination Act 1991
• 25 years of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991
• Reflecting on 25 Years of the Anti-Discrimination Act Digital Stories Collection, State Library of Queensland
• Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland