OPG and the Queensland Human Rights Act

The Human Rights Act 2019 (the Act) came into effect in Queensland on 1 January 2020. The Act protects 23 human rights, which have been drawn from international human rights law. All Queensland public entities (which includes OPG) must act and make decisions in a way that is compatible with human rights.

Upholding the human rights of our clients is fundamental to everything OPG stands for. Our internal policies, procedures and decision making frameworks ensure the OPG is fully compliant with the Act, and in the way we advocate for vulnerable adults and children and young people.

OPG and the human rights decision making framework

OPG’s human rights decision making framework underpins our commitment to the protection of our clients’ human rights. All OPG staff are responsible for following the framework when they are required

This means that when making any decision or taking any action on behalf of our clients, OPG staff must consider which of the 23 human rights may be relevant to the particular situation, and whether the proposed course of action will interfere or limit those rights. If a client’s rights will be impacted in this way, OPG must be able to demonstrate that the decision made was necessary, justifiable and proportionate under the circumstances.

The framework is a guarantee to our clients that their human rights have been appropriately considered when decisions are made by OPG staff. It also provides certainty to the community that OPG’s services comply with the Act and are transparent and accountable.

Complaints

Under the Act, individuals will have the right to make a complaint and seek remedy where they believe a public entity has breached their human rights. In the first instance this complaint must be referred to the relevant body.

If you believe your human rights or the human rights of someone you know have been limited by OPG, find out more about how you can make a complaint.