QLD Human Rights Legislation

The remainder of Human Rights Act 2019 legislation had a staggered roll out, with the legislation commencing in its entirety 1st Jan this year.

What does this mean?

The legislation protects 23 rights including privacy, access to education and health services and cultural rights.  It will require public entities such as government departments, local councils and other public type organisations to make decisions and act in compatibility with these human rights. These 23 rights are (in no particular order):

1. recognition and equality before the law;
2. right to life;
3. protection from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment;
4. freedom from forced work;
5. freedom of movement;
6. freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief;
7. freedom of expression;
8. peaceful assembly and freedom of association;
9. taking part in public life;
10. property rights;
11. privacy and reputation;
12. protection of families and children;
13. cultural rights – generally;
14. cultural rights – Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples;
15. right to liberty and security of person;
16. humane treatment when deprived of liberty;
17. fair hearing;
18. rights in criminal proceedings;
19. children in the criminal process;
20. right not to be tried or punished more than once;
21. retrospective criminal laws;
22. right to education; and
23. right to health services.