The Queensland Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 aims 'to promote equality of opportunity for everyone by protecting them from unfair discrimination in certain areas of activity and from sexual harassment and certain associated objectionable conduct'. This Act enables complaints of discrimination to be dealt with by the Queensland Human Rights Commission.
The Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of the following attributes:
- sex
- relationship status
- pregnancy
- parental status
- breastfeeding
- age
- race
- impairment
- religious belief or religious activity
- political belief or activity
- trade union activity
- lawful sexual activity
- gender identity
- sexuality
- family responsibilities
- association with, or relation to, a person identified on the basis of any of the above attributes.
The Act prohibits direct discrimination and indirect discrimination. Indirect discrimination describes a situation or condition, which on its face appears to be neutral, or the same for everyone. In fact a person with an attribute is unable, or less able, to comply with that condition than someone without that attribute. The Act defines indirect discrimination at Section 11 and provides examples.
The University of Southern Queensland's Employee Equity and Diversity Policy aims to promote and support an environment which values and affirms equal opportunity, diversity and inclusivity in accordance with universal principles of equity, fairness and social justice, whilst ensuring that the University complies with its legal responsibilities in accordance with relevant legislation.