Date: 30 May 2023
Court/Tribunal: Queensland Industrial Relations Commission
Judicial Officer/Tribunal Member: Merrell DP
Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld) Sections: s 15
Rights Considered: Right to recognition and equality before the law
Other Legislation: Industrial Relations Act 2016, s 530
Keywords: Discrimination; Education, Training, and Employment

This matter concerned a successful application made by Mr Anthony Ferry ('the First Respondent') and the State of Queensland, through the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training ('the Second Respondent') for leave to be given to be legally represented before the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission. The application was in response to a complaint made by Dr Kathiravelu Navaratnam to the Queensland Human Rights Commission alleging that the First and Second Respondents had contravened various provisions of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld). The complaint alleged that the Complainant has been the subject of unlawful discrimination in his workplace due to his age and race, referring to his human right to recognition and equality before the law as provided by section 15 of the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld). The Commission did not engage in any substantive discussion in respect to the applicant’s human rights.

Visit the judgement: Navartam v Ferry [2023] QIRC 154