The Human Rights Act and its application to BPEQ

As a public service entity, BPEQ must make decisions that are compatible with human rights and give proper consideration to human rights when making decisions under the Human Rights Act 2019 (HR Act), which commenced on 1 January 2020.

The HR Act established the Queensland Human Rights Commission which promotes the objects of the HR Act and in certain circumstances will investigate complaints from people that feel a public entity has made a decision that is incompatible with their human rights. The Queensland Human Rights Commission has a website; www.qhrc.qld.gov.au which contains details about the HR Act and their complaints procedure.

The website contains information about the 24 Human Rights enshrined in the HR Act which include the right to life, the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief, The right to peaceful assembly and freedom of association, property rights, the right to privacy and reputation and the right to a fair hearing. The Human Rights Commission website contains information on how to make a complaint about a decision of a public entity that may interfere with a human right or a decision that has been made without proper consideration of a human right relevant to the decision. The commission website advises individuals to obtain independent legal advice before making a complaint and states: ‘sometimes talking with the person or organisation directly is the quickest and easiest way to address your concerns’. If you feel that an action or decision of BPEQ has been made without proper regard for your human rights then you can contact BPEQ which will attempt to address your concerns.

For further information we recommend that you visit the Human Rights Commission’s website. The Queensland Ombudsman website also contains information on how to make complaints about Queensland Government organisations. Visit www.ombudsman.qld.gov.au for more information.