Qld politics: Brittany Higgins blasts pause on workplace discrimination laws

In one of her first major media statements since the defamation trial that found she was likely raped, Brittany Higgins has taken aim at the Queensland government.

Brittany Higgins outside Parliament House in Brisbane. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Sexual-assault survivor Brittany Higgins has accused the Queensland government of abandoning women after it quietly shelved landmark workplace safety reforms to prevent sexual harassment.

In a scathing assessment, Ms Higgins accused the government of regressing on women’s rights, warning Queensland was now lagging even further behind than the federal Coalition government in 2021 after pausing the Respect at Work laws without explanation.

The Respect at Work reforms passed by the former Labor government were designed to strengthen Queensland’s Anti-Discrimination Act, protecting victims of domestic violence, homeless people and women at work by establishing a “positive duty” for employers to proactively eliminate discrimination, harassment, and related misconduct.

The laws were due to start in July, but were abruptly halted in March by Attorney-General Deb Frecklington, citing the need for further consultation. No timeline has since been set.

In one of her first major media statements since the defamation trial that found, on the balance of probabilities, she was raped at federal Parliament House in 2019, Ms Higgins said the government’s failure to act was a “disturbing regression”.

Premier David Crisafulli with Attorney-General Deb Frecklington

“There has been extensive community consultation over years,” she said. “By 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.

“This shouldn’t be a partisan issue. Every day the Crisafulli government delays taking action, more Queenslanders face risk at work. The Queensland government’s recent actions demonstrate a disturbing regression – lagging even further behind than the Morrison government in 2021 – when it comes to safeguarding workers from sexual harassment.”

The state’s Human Rights Commissioner Scott McDougall previously accused the government of yielding to pressure from conservative religious lobbyists, including the Australian Christian Lobby, and warned the decision ignored years of expert consultation.

He said concerns about criminal history checks could have been fixed with minor amendments, not by shelving the entire package.

“To increase protections for vulnerable people and provide certainty to business, I urge the government to provide clarity as soon as possible,” he said.

Opposition spokeswoman for women Shannon Fentiman. Picture: Annette Dew

A 2022 Human Rights Commission survey found 77 per cent of Australians had experienced sexual harassment in their lifetime, including 89 per cent of women, 64 per cent of men and 99 per cent of non-binary people.

One in three had experienced workplace sexual harassment in the past five years, with higher rates among young people, LGBTQI+ individuals and people with disabilities.

Asked whether a consultation timeline for the laws had been arranged since the indefinite pause two months ago, a spokeswoman for Ms Frecklington said the reforms were rushed by the former Labor government and needed more scrutiny.

“Reforming discrimination law is complex,” she said.

“We’re committed to resolving serious concerns raised by the Department of Justice and ensuring our laws are fit for purpose.”

Opposition women’s affairs spokeswoman Shannon Fentiman said there was “no excuse for leaving Queensland women at risk”.

Originally published as Qld politics: Brittany Higgins blasts pause on workplace discrimination laws