A powerful voice for sexual assault victims, Brittany Higgins has joined a growing number of advocates in calling out the Queensland government’s delay to workplace safety law reform.
The Crisafulli government has paused the implementation of “positive duty” workplace reforms in Queensland that would put the onus on employers to prevent sexual harassment in their workplace. The new laws had previously been set to take effect on July 1 this year.
Many advocates warn this delay will leave thousands of people exposed to harassment and discrimination. It also creates uncertainty for businesses and workers on when to expect the implementation of the Respect at Work Act, which made it a legal requirement for businesses and government agencies to prevent discrimination before it occurs.
Responding to the delayed reform, Higgins, a former Liberal political staffer, has accused the Crisafulli government of not taking the concerns of women in the state seriously.
“There has been extensive community consultation over the years. Pausing this legislation indefinitely, without any clear explanation, just further proves that the state government isn’t taking the concerns of the women in their state seriously,” said Higgins, in a statement.
“This shouldn’t be a partisan issue. Every day the Crisafulli government delays taking action, more Queenslanders face risk at work.”
In response to Higgins’ comments, Queensland Attorney-General Deb Frecklington called the discrimination law reform a complex issue and said the pause followed serious concerns raised by the Justice Department.
Accusing Labor of rushing major changes, Frecklington said the laws would be paused to allow more consultation and policy work.
However, Queensland Human Rights Commissioner Scott McDougall said there’d already been extensive consultations taken on the reforms, listing off several inquiries and reviews by the Australian Human Rights Commission, the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council, and two prior inquiries by the parliamentary Legal Affairs and Safety Committee.
In parliament this week, Premier David Crisafulli was asked whether he would reverse the decision to delay the laws indefinitely, in light of Higgins’ statement.
While Crisafulli thanked Higgins for “speaking out on an issue that is important to all of us in this house”, he said the reforms warranted a broader review and claimed the legislation had been “condemned by a multitude of sources”.
Co-Convenor of the Queensland Domestic Violence Services Network (QDVSN) and CEO of the Centre for Women & Co, Stacey Ross said “stronger anti-discrimination protections are not just a legal necessity but a moral and social imperative to ensure the dignity and safety of all Queenslanders”.
“Pausing the implementation disregards an evidence-based process and the voices of those most impacted by discrimination,” said Ross.
“Now, more than ever, Queensland must lead with laws that ensure safety, justice and equality for all.”