Crimes off the record

EMPLOYERS and others may be legally barred from discriminating against someone based on their criminal past following an “overdue” review of Queensland laws.

The Queensland Human Rights Commission has been asked to consider widening who is protected under the state’s Anti-Discrimination Act in a review announced by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

That includes whether people should be protected from discrimination based on their “spent criminal conviction or irrelevant criminal record; expunged homosexual conviction; irrelevant medical record; immigration status; employment activity; and physical features”, the review’s terms of reference reveals.

Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman said the review was “overdue” and would be looking at everything through a modern lens.

“It is crucial our laws continue to reflect contemporary standards and protect our diverse communities,” she said.

The Commission has been asked to report by June 2022.