Brown v State of Queensland (Queensland Ambulance Service) [2022] QIRC 312

Date: 9 August 2022
Tribunal: Queensland Industrial Relations Commission
Judicial Officer: McLennan IC
Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld) Sections: s 13
Rights Considered: N/A
Other Legislation: Industrial Relations Act 2016 (Qld) s 562B, s 562C, s 564; Public Service Act 2008 (Qld) s 194; QAS HR Policy Employee COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements cl 2, cl 3, cl 5; QAS HR Procedure – COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements cl 3
Keywords: Public Law Considerations, COVID-19 Directions

This matter concerned an appeal of the respondent’s decision to refuse to exempt the appellant from COVID-19 vaccination requirements on the basis of a genuinely held religious belief. The appellant raised a number of human rights arguments. The Commission, in considering these arguments, noted the effect of s 13(1) of the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld). The Commission found that the appellant’s rights were justifiably limited by the respondent, in light of the need to ensure the readiness of the Queensland Ambulance Service in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the safety of its patients, employees, and the greater community.

Visit the judgment: Brown v State of Queensland (Queensland Ambulance Service) [2022] QIRC 312