Human rights themes
Each event in the timeline is tagged with an icon representing one of the following themes:
Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples
The fight for equality
Life and health
Civil liberties
Children and families
Prisons and institutions
These themes reflect the consistent patterns that emerged during the timeline’s development.
2000 to present: Expanding protections
2002 – Family responsibilities protected
Family responsibilities were added as a protected attribute under the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 to ensure people are able to fulfil their family responsibilities without fear of discrimination.
2002 – Gender identity recognised
Queensland amended its anti-discrimination Act to include gender identity as a protected attribute, extending legal protections to transgender and intersex people.
2002 – Legal recognition of same-sex couples
Same-sex couples were formally recognised in Queensland legislation. De facto partners, regardless of sexual orientation, were granted the same rights and obligations as married spouses.
2002 – Introduction of Murri Courts
The first Murri Court was established in Brisbane in August 2002, expanding statewide over the next decade for adult and youth offenders. Closed in 2012 as a cost-saving measure, the courts were reinstated in April 2016 by the Palaszczuk government and now operate in 15 locations across Queensland.
2002 – Stolen Wage Reparation Scheme
The Queensland Government established a scheme to compensate Aboriginal people for unpaid, missing, or misused wages, savings, and trust fund money withheld under past government controls.
2003 – Cultural Heritage Acts
The Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Act 2003 were enacted to protect and conserve cultural heritage, including requirements for Cultural Heritage Management Plans.
2004 – Foster care inquiry
This inquiry was led by the Crime and Misconduct Commission into abuse in foster care. It recommended systemic reform and more child-focused protective services.
2005 – Bundaberg Base Hospital Inquiry
The Queensland Public Hospitals Commission of Inquiry uncovered serious misconduct and systemic failures at the hospital, including preventable deaths and potential criminal conduct.
2006 and 2019 – Women in Prison reports
The Commission examined the treatment of women in Queensland prisons, highlighting systemic issues and recommending reforms in line with international human rights standards.
2007 – UNDRIP Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly
First Nations people in Australia significantly contributed to developing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Australia initially voted against it in 2007 but endorsed it in 2009 after international and domestic pressure. However, Australia has yet to fully implement UNDRIP into domestic law or establish mechanisms to realise Indigenous rights nationally.
2008 – National Apology to the Stolen Generations
The federal government formally apologised for the laws and policies that led to the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families.
2008 – Disability rights recognised
Australia ratified the United Nations Convention for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, marking a major milestone in the disability rights movement.
2009 – Establishment of National Congress of Australia's First Peoples
In 2009, Tom Calma AO led consultations to establish the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples (NCAFP), with gender parity and ethical oversight. Funding was withdrawn in 2013, and it ceased operations in 2019.
2011 – Paid parental leave
Australia’s first national Paid Parental Leave scheme commenced, supporting working parents to care for newborn or adopted children.
2012 – Youth mental health crisis
The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that self-harm had become the leading cause of death among young people aged 15 to 24, highlighting urgent concerns around youth mental health and wellbeing.
2012 – Apology for forced adoptions
The Queensland Parliament delivered a formal apology for past forced adoption policies and practices, acknowledging the pain and trauma caused to mothers, children, and families.
2013 – Anti-bikie laws
The Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment Act 2013 introduced mandatory sentencing and anti-association offences. It was later replaced by the Serious Organised Crime Act 2016.
2013 – Child protection inquiry
Taking responsibility, the report of the Child Protection Commission of Inquiry, found that Queensland’s system was failing to ensure the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable children and called for major reforms.
2014 – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Land (Providing Freehold) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2014
In 2014, the Queensland Parliament passed the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Land (Providing Freehold) and Other Legislation Amendment Act, enabling the option to obtain ordinary freehold title in parts of 34 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Deed of Grant in Trust (DOGIT) communities.
2016 – Adoption equality
Same-sex couples and single people became eligible to adopt children in Queensland.
2016 – Lex Wotton High Court challenge
The High Court ruled on acts of racial discrimination in the investigation of the death of Mulrunji Doomadgee, highlighting systemic bias in policing.
2017 – OPCAT ratified
Australia ratified the United Nations Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) and committed to independent inspections of all places of detention.
2017 – The Uluru Statement from the Heart
On 26 May 2017, at the National Constitutional Convention in Yulara on Aṉangu land, the Uluru Statement from the Heart was presented. Following 13 regional dialogues, 250 delegates called for constitutional reform, a First Nations Voice to Parliament, and a Makarrata Commission for treaty-making and truth-telling.
2018 – Overrepresentation in child protection
Aboriginal children were found to be 8 times more likely to be in the child protection system than non-Indigenous children.
2018 – Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth)
The Commonwealth introduced legislation requiring businesses to report on risks of modern slavery in their operations and supply chains.
2018 – Youth justice reform
From 2018, 17-year-olds were no longer treated as adults in Queensland’s criminal justice system and were instead dealt with under youth justice laws.
2019 – Watch house detention of children
The prolonged detention of children in Brisbane’s maximum-security police watch house drew national criticism and raised serious human rights concerns.
2020 – Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld) comes into effect
This Act commenced to protect a broad range of civil and political rights, as well as the right to education and health services, and distinct cultural rights of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
2020 – COVID-19 pandemic
A Public Health Emergency was declared in Queensland and caused restrictions on movement and gatherings to manage the spread of COVID-19.
2020 – Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipz Act 2020 (Qld)
This landmark legislation provided legal recognition of Torres Strait Islander child-rearing practices, and affirmed cultural authority and family structures.
2022 – Masig Statement of Self-Determination
On 23 August, marking the 85th anniversary of the First Islanders Councillors Conference, the Zenadth Kes people delivered the Masig Statement of Self-Determination, titled Malungu Yangu Wakay (‘A Voice from the Deep’). The statement emphasised their unique identity and asserted their distinct voice, separate from broader Indigenous agendas.
2023 – Australian Indigenous Voice Referendum
The 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice Referendum, held on 14 October 2023, proposed recognising Indigenous Australians in the Constitution by establishing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, a body to advise Federal Parliament and the executive government on matters affecting First Nations peoples. The proposal was rejected by voters.
2024 – Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry
The Queensland Government abolished the state’s Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry and repealed its Path to Treaty Act, marking a major step backwards for First Nations rights.
Explore more of the timeline
The timeline is not a comprehensive historical record. It presents a curated selection of key events – many involving the State – that have significantly affected the human rights of people in Queensland.