Queensland Human Rights Commission staff raise concerns over planning day presentation from boss’ charity friend
On a Monday in March, Queensland Human Rights Commission staff gathered for fairly standard office fare: an all-hands planning day to work on fine-tuning the agency’s strategic plan.
The company’s newly appointed boss, Debbie Platz, would not attend; It’s a move that would allow his nearly 90 staff to speak freely about such changes, under a vision he publicly said would be less “combative”.
But while outside critics have questioned Platz since he took office this year, events on the fourth floor of the sunny tower on George Street have prompted staff to air their own thoughts.
Accounts shared with this imprint by staff and others with knowledge of the matter stated that insensitive and racist language was used during a presentation that caused some staff to become visibly upset.
This presentation was also made by a representative of a charity organization with close ties to the Platz; He had raised “red flags” about conflicts of interest by presenting himself as a friend of the commissioner.
The incident and its handling reinforced concerns about Platz’s past, his approach and his disconnect with the office’s legal role to prevent discrimination and protect human rights, sources said.
“This is not a place where you have to learn on the job,” said one source, agreeing to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to do so publicly.
Details and consequences of the day came from the accounts of many people who were present or informed later, who agreed to share their own memories or corroborate the details of others.
Towards the end of the morning on 16 March, facilitated by an external provider, staff gathered in the large work kitchen area for a session of the Uniform 4 Kids representative.
Anne Macdonald, the charity’s founding director and operations coordinator, introduced herself and began to explain the organisation’s work.
Alongside boxes of used police, emergency service and Australia Zoo uniforms that the charity had turned into children’s clothing, Macdonald made comments to staff suggesting he and Platz were friends.
“We were all stunned from then on,” a source said, making little explicit reference to why Macdonald was there to address staff.
This was followed by comments from Macdonald, who suggested that those who received the clothing should be grateful and were in dire need, according to sources.
Staff recall Macdonald generalizing First Nations people as drug dealers and alcohol abusers and referring to people who self-harm as “cutters”, sometimes making cutting gestures.
“By this time people had already left the room in tears because he gave no warning that he was going to bring up all these themes,” a source said.
“Our HR [human resources] The manager stood up and tried to stop the presentation, telling people that the following themes were being explained: [Macdonald] He talks about being a trigger and if someone needs to go, they can go. Half the room, I would say… to the left.
“And even after being told to stop, he continued and again specifically mentioned Indigenous ‘cutters.’
“It was difficult for the staff to do this. [say anything] …because this woman said she was friends with the commissioner.”
I am absolutely devastated that anything I said caused any distress or harm to the audience…it was not my intention and I apologize unreservedly.
Anne Macdonald in a phone conversation with this imprint
At this point, many members of the commission’s senior leadership team were also away from the presentation, following staff “in the hallways trying to reassure them.”
An apology was later made by Deputy Commissioner Jane Vasey, who is said to have told staff that the management team had not been fully informed or consulted about the presentation.
As part of these briefing conversations between staff, it was revealed that Platz’s husband, Glenn Ferguson AM, chairs the charity founded by his mother.
“[That] To me, this is a huge red flag for conflict of interest, regardless of whether the charity is a great cause or not,” one source said.
Images of Platz appear on the website of the volunteer-run Queensland-based charity uniformed with outfit During assignments with the Queensland and federal police Pope Francis’ blessing in 2018.
While the charity provides clothes to children in need, another stated purpose to give “law enforcement and emergency services organizations opportunities to build legitimacy and trust.”
of the commission latest annual report It shows that out of a total of 252 complaints accepted and disposed of in 2024-25, 23 alleged human rights violations involving the police.
In a phone interview on Friday, Macdonald said he was devastated to hear his comments had caused any distress, harm or offense when they did not intend to do so.
“I’m very, very sorry… and I apologize unreservedly,” Macdonald said, adding that he had been invited by Platz to give the presentation and had taken with him two boxes of clothes for commission staff.
“I left them there so that if someone wanted to take their clothes to Cairns, Townsville, Cooktown, wherever, they could put them in their trunk. If they weren’t going to be used, they would be returned to me.”
In a written response to questions, Platz said he was aware of Macdonald’s language and behavior and thought they were “unacceptable under any circumstances” and that he had since shared these thoughts directly with Macdonald.
Platz said witnessing the charity’s work first-hand, including the recycling and re-creation of clothing by community groups, including retired women, meant staff who wanted to give such clothing to someone in need believed they could do so.
“It was never intended to represent a formal organizational affiliation or approved program,” Platz said, noting that he had therefore not previously disclosed his ties to the charity.
“I recognize the importance of transparency and have now updated my conflict of interest form.
“Both the organization and I have taken steps, including counselling, to support affected staff. I have apologized in writing and in person and the development of a Cultural Safety Plan is a priority.
“Although the idea was shared with the leadership team prior to the event, I would like to make it clear that I take full responsibility for this matter.”
The independent commission and the office of Attorney General Deb Frecklington, to whom the commissioner is responsible, declined to answer questions.
Although there was a brief return to group activities (if ever there was one) as some staff slowly returned from lunch on the planning day, what was to be an all-day event was eventually cut short.
The next day, Platz addressed staff in groups. There he apologized, shared his rationale for the presentation, but often broke down and left some feeling like he hadn’t fully voiced their concerns.
Three days later, on Friday, Platz flew out of the country on a two-week leave for a trip that had been planned since August of last year.
“It was probably good timing, to be honest,” a source said. “Because it gave all of us the space to understand what was happening in an area that was probably intended to be one of the safest places for people.”
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Matt Dennien is a reporter covering state politics and public services for the Brisbane Times. He previously worked for newspapers in Tasmania and Brisbane community radio station 4ZZZ. Contact him securely on Signal @mattdennien.15Connect via email.
