From the Commissioner’s Desk .....

On the 10th December this year, Queenslanders celebrated ten years of human rights legislation in the state.

In 1991, the Anti-Discrimination Commission and the Anti-Discrimination Tribunal were established by the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (the Act), which was proclaimed on 30 June 1992. Most other states had already enacted similar legislation by this time, which aimed to promote equality of opportunity for all, by protecting people against unlawful discrimination in certain areas of their lives.

While the legislation became operative in June 1992, sections on superannuation and insurance took effect only in December 1992, and compulsory retirement was abolished in 1994. The most recent, significant change to the Act came in June this year, when racial and religious vilification provisions were included.

Over the years, many milestones have been reached, many challenges faced and many changes dealt with. In 1992, for example, agreement was reached between the federal and state governments for the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission to administer the state legislation, as well as the federal laws.

Also in 1992, offices were opened in Cairns and Rockhampton to provide a regional service, and in 1998, a Townsville office was opened. The Anti-Discrimination Tribunal handled its first case in 1992, and dealt with eight others during that year. In the most recent financial year, 195 cases were managed. From one member in 1992, the Tribunal now provides work for seven members throughout the state.

In its first year of operation Commission staff handled nearly 5000 enquiries and 410 complaints were accepted. In the 2000-2001 year, more than twice that number of enquiries and complaints were accepted.

In December 1992, the original 'Tracking Your Rights' package was launched. In July this year, close to 10 years later, the upgraded, updated version was launched in more than 60 Indigenous communities throughout Queensland.

By December 1996, when the agreement between the state and federal governments was due to be re-negotiated, it was becoming apparent that another change was in the air. As of 10 December, the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Commission became operational in its own right, and with its first Commissioner, Karen Walters. Administration of the federal legislation reverted to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, in Sydney.

Part of the new image for the Commission in 1996 included production of a range of brochures, including community languages, the development of a website, the production of a video 'Fair Go', and new posters and postcards.

Over the last 10 years, thousands of complaints have been successfully resolved, and thousands of information sessions have been presented to many more thousands of people. Last year alone, more than 60,000 brochures were distributed, while five times that number of people accessed the website.

Since that time too, there have been four Commissioners, (Helen Twohill, Zrinka Johnston, John Briton and Karen Walters), probably more than 50 staff throughout the state, and at least three office moves. The constants, however, have always been the legislation, and the commitment of staff to the spirit and intention of the law.

This issue of 'Balancing the Act' is a commemoration of the last ten years, a celebration of a decade of human rights legislation in Queensland, and an acknowledgement to all who have worked in the human rights arena.

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