Media releases

      Stay up to date with the latest news from the Queensland Human Rights Commission.

      Media Enquiries

      Please contact our communications and media team on:

      • 0407 657 411
      • comms@qhrc.qld.gov.au

      Please note that any complaint lodged with us here at the Commission is confidential and we do not provide comment or details of complaints at any stage of proceedings.

      Conciliations held as part of our dispute resolution process are a civil matter, not a hearing or a tribunal; they are not publicly listed and are not open to observers.

      The Commission is an impartial third party during dispute resolution and does not make rulings about whether contraventions of the Anti-Discrimination Act or the Human Rights Act have taken place.

      If a complaint is unable to be resolved by our conciliators, it may proceed to a tribunal hearing. Tribunal hearings are public.

      Media releases

      2026

      PublishedMedia release
      29.05.2026Statement from the Queensland Human Rights Commissioner regarding Victoria Park

      2025

      PublishedMedia release
      07.10.2025Scott McDougall concludes seven-year term as Queensland's Human Rights Commissioner
      16.09.2025Queensland Human Rights Commissioner Scott McDougall presents a human rights vision for the Games.
      09.09.2025Statement from the Queensland Human Rights Commissioner Scott McDougall on recent bomb threats targeting Musli communities in Queensland
      05.09.2025 Statement from the Queensland Human Rights Commissioner Scott McDougall on recent and planned anti-immigration rallies.
      07.07.2025Rights Made Real podcast and film launched in Magan-djin.
      01.07.2025Statement from the Queensland Human Rights Commissioner Scott McDougall on anti-discrimination law milestone
      29.05.202520th Anniversary of the Mabo Oration in Gimuy (Cairns) celebrates Eddie Koiki Mabo's legacy
      21.05.2025Bandarran Marra'Gu Gathering Strength Summit brought First Nations community members together from across Queensland and the message is clear: rights are not negotiable
      30.04.2025Second statement from Queensland Human Commissioner Scott McDougall regarding delay on anti-discrimination law changes
      11.04.2025New report gives recommendations on protecting children in watch houses
      28.03.2025Statement from Queensland Human Rights Commissioner Scott McDougall regarding the response to the Human Rights Act Review Report & the Queensland Government rejecting all recommendations
      25.03.2025Statement from Queensland Human Rights Commissioner Scott McDougall regarding the response to the Strengthening the Service review of workplace equality in the Queensland Police Service.
      14.03.2025Statement from Queensland Human Rights Commissioner Scott McDougall regarding delay on anti-discrimination law changes
      30.01.2025'Severe limitations on the rights of children: Human Rights Commissioner on 'pause' on gender affirming health care.

      2024

      Published Media release
      10.12.2024Strengthening the Service: Queensland Human Rights Commission releases review of workplace equality in the Queensland Police Service
      28.11.2024"We are all diminished": Queensland Human Rights Commissioner on changes to youth justice laws
      26.11.2024Statement in support of the Truth-Telling and Health Inquiry
      01.11.2024Statement from Queensland Human Rights Commissioner Scott McDougall regarding the future of Queensland's Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry
      10.09.2024A strong and modern Anti-Discrimination Act: More Queenslanders to be protected from bad behaviour
      06.08.2024Statement from Queensland Human Rights Commissioner Scott McDougall on the Queensland Police Service's review of watch houses
      14.06.2024Additional protections welcome, but Respect at Work Bill is a missed opportunity to modernise Queensland's outdated equality laws
      01.05.2024Statement from Queensland Human Rights Commissioner Scott McDougall: Rewording the principle of detention as a last resort will not solve Queensland's watch house crisis or make the community safer
      29.04.2024Updates to Queensland's Anti-Discrimination Act comes into effect today

      2023

      Published Media release
      25.10.2023Statement from Queensland Human Rights Commissioner Scott McDougall in response to Police Union present's comments on truth and treaty
      19.10.2023Statement from Queensland Human Rights Commissioner Scott McDougall regarding the future of Path to Treaty
      13.10.2023Stronger vilification laws for Queensland
      23.09.2023'Ineffective, inhumane and an impediment to rehabilitation: Human Rights Commission report supports ending strip searches of women in prison
      07.09.2023Queensland Police Service and Queensland Human Rights Commission begin diversity and inclusion review
      24.08.2023Statement from Queensland Human Rights Commissioner Scott McDougall regarding the use of adult prisons and police watch houses as youth detention centres
      11.07.2023Implementation of new building codes should not be delayed
      21.02.2023Commissioner alarmed about rush to pass harsher youth justice laws
      06.02.2023Better ways to protect community than proposed youth justice reforms

      2022

      Published
      Media release
      01.09.2022Clearer, fairer, and with a focus on prevention: report recommends significant changes to Queensland's Anti-Discrimination Act
      04.05.2022Privacy: the foundation of trust

      (Joint statement for Privacy Awareness Week 2022 from Queensland's Information Commissioner and Human Rights Commissioner) 
      11.04.2022Vaccine mandates: No 'one size fits all' approach to determining human rights compatibility
      14.03.2022Time for pandemic-specific legislation, says Human Rights Commissioner
      31.01.2022Queensland laws have prohibited discrimination against LGBTIQ+ students for 20 years

      2021

      PublishedMedia release
      30.11.2021Balancing life and liberty: Second report on operation of Queensland's Human Rights Act published today.
      08.07.2021Human Rights Commissioner says rights must be appropriately balanced in tenancy reform debate
      23.04.2021Human Rights Commissioner 'deeply troubled' by changes to Queensland's youth justice laws
      21.04.2021Hate crime law review a landmark moment for Queensland communities

      (Joint media release with Cohesive Communities Coalition)

      2020

      Published Media release
      09.12.2020More transparency needed on hotel quarantine decision making, says Queensland Human Rights Commissioner
      09.12.2020First Human Rights Act Annual Report now available
      15.10.2020Mandatory hotel quarantine conditions: Commission releases first report into unresolvable human rights complain under Queensland's Human Rights Act
      15.09.2020New campaign launched to strengthen Queensland's vilification laws
      05.08.2020Innovative solutions can solve homelessness in Queensland
      31.07.2020New Closing the Gap targets welcome, but action is what's needed
      30.07.2020Commission urges focus on safety, not scapegoating, as new COVID-19 cases diagnosed in Queensland
      28.05.2020Commission urges strong consultation with Indigenous communities to find workable, fair and locally driven COVID-19 protections
      17.02.2020New resources to support trans and gender diverse students at school
      31.01.2020Commission warns against discriminatory behaviour as coronavirus fears rise

      2019

      PublishedMedia release
      23.10.2019Council ban on Extinction Rebellion may contravene anti-discrimination laws
      11.10.2019Protest laws have not been justified
      14.05.2019Four Corners program on children being held in watch houses in Queensland
      06.03.2019Women in Prison report
      27.02.2019Human Rights Act

      2018

      Published Media release
      04.12.2018Audit find high level of institutional racism in Queensland's health system, but experts hopeful of brighter future
      01.11.2018Working in partnership to address institutional barriers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health enquiry
      05.09.2018New Commissioner announced
      17.08.2018Commissioners reject racist policies

      Last updated: