Former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins slammed the Queensland government for pausing changes to its anti-discrimination laws that would have taken effect on July 1.
A defamation trial launched by Ms Higgins' former colleague Bruce Lehrmann found he likely raped her at Canberra's Parliament House, sparking her advocacy for workplace change.
The former Labor government legislated before the 2024 election that employers would have a positive obligation to prevent discrimination of employees rather than acting retrospectively.
It also added more attributes to be protected from discrimination including domestic violence survivors, homelessness and irrelevant criminal or medical records.
But Attorney-General Deb Frecklington indefinitely halted the rollout of the changes in March after the justice department raised concerns about the protected attributes, particularly the irrelevant criminal record.
She said there were concerns it could undermine decisions relating to weapons, police protection notices or licensing.Â
Under the law changes, it could be considered discrimination to deny a person who was charged with a domestic violence offence but not convicted a weapons licence.
Ms Higgins has argued that there has been extensive consultation over nearly four years for the implementation of the laws.
"By pausing this legislation indefinitely, without any clear explanation, further proves that the (government) isn't taking the concerns of the women in the state seriously," she posted on X.
"This shouldn't be a partisan issue.
"Every day the Crisafulli government delays taking action, more Queenslanders face risk at work."
Premier David Crisafulli welcomed Ms Higgins' comments on sexual harassment but said the legislation was rushed.
"There are unintended consequences in the rushed legislation, including people having access to weapons who should not have access to weapons," he told parliament.
"And that is the unintended consequence when you rush things, looking for a political outcome rather than an outcome for people."
The premier said the government has a responsibility to ensure laws protect people at work but the consultation process shouldn't be rushed.
Youth Minister Sam O'Connor emphasised the pause does not remove protections for women in the workplace under state and federal laws and a positive obligation among employers also remains.
Ms Higgins isn't the first to condemn the pause, with the state's Human Rights Commissioner Scott McDougall calling it a huge disappointment and that further consultation runs the risk of harming stakeholders.
"At best, this could result in consultation fatigue; at worst it stokes public debate which is retraumatising to victims of discrimination, harassment, vilification and victimisation," he said in a statement.
Others, including Equality Australia and the Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion, said the pause leaves a gap in the laws for vulnerable communities like those with a disability and LGBTI people.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
Lifeline 13 11 14
Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491
