A novel year for human rights in Queensland

Abstract

In a year of challenges from the novel coronavirus, the new Queensland Human Rights Act was applied in unexpected ways. Its new complaints process was particularly tested by hotel quarantine restrictions. Nonetheless, geographic and demographic differences between Queensland and other human rights jurisdictions are also emerging as especially relevant to how human rights protection will be applied in the state, particularly a new Australian right to health and the cultural rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.