On Thursday 28 August 2025, Queensland Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Scott McDougall delivered a public lecture on how the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld) is influencing the provision of health care in Queensland. You can listen to the presentation below:
Abstract
This public lecture explored how the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld) is influencing the provision of health care in Queensland. Through recent case law, we examined how rights such as equality, privacy and access to health services without discrimination are being interpreted and applied to matters relating to health. Attendees learned about the human rights obligations on clinicians, state agencies and policy-makers and the growing role of human rights in shaping patient care.
About the presenter
Scott McDougall commenced as Queensland Anti-Discrimination Commissioner on 8 October 2018. Prior to his appointment he was the Director and Principal Solicitor at Caxton Legal Centre Inc. in Brisbane.
Since admission to legal practice in 1993 Scott has advocated on behalf of communities and conducted litigation particularly in the areas of discrimination, native title, criminal law, guardianship and coronial inquiries.
Upon the introduction of the Human Rights Act in 2019 he became Queensland’s inaugural Human Rights Commissioner with responsibility for implementing Australia’s first human rights complaints scheme that protected the right to access health services.
He holds a Bachelor of Laws from the Queensland University of Technology.