How Queensland’s new Human Rights Commissioner Debbie Platz aims to chart a less ‘combative’ course
Queensland Human Rights Commissioner Debbie Platz said it was during a high school exchange in Japan that her first major inclusion lesson was learned.
“I was so different from all the other ladies I was with at school and I stood out like anything else,” she told this imprint in her first interview since the end of January.
“And there was a huge lesson for me: you can be very different but still be involved.
“But I think that really set me on the journey of making sure the community was safe, inclusive and diverse.”
When Platz returned to Brisbane, all he wanted was to return; He studied Japanese at university before attending the Australian Institute of Radio and Television Production.
“Part of it was doing a little work experience program and I was with Kay McGrath, who was a crime journalist at the time,” Platz said.
“Going to see the police at the scene, how can I help the community, and is law enforcement the way to go?” “It aroused interest in the question.”
For Platz, it was, and it put him on track to become the state’s second civil rights boss.
After starting as a Queensland police officer in 1985, Platz worked in plainclothes child protection units, mostly going to Indigenous communities outside Cairns, before moving on to prosecution.
As deputy commissioner of the AFP’s crime command, he dealt with child abuse, human trafficking, slavery, forced marriage and even war crimes.
He led the project to build the Australian Child Exploitation Centre, based in Brisbane.
Then the pandemic struck and Platz returned to the Queensland Police Service as an assistant commissioner on counter-terrorism duties.
The role of Queensland Human Rights Commissioner has been announced for her next role as deputy commissioner of operations for the NSW State Emergency Service.
“And drawing attention to my past… from childhood to the present, [I’ve] “I’ve always been interested in how I can make an impact on society, even if it’s in small steps,” he said. “How can I make the community safer for everyone?
“So I was really interested in this role from both a human rights and anti-discrimination perspective.
“[I was] “She is determined to ensure Queenslanders can speak freely, live safely and that we have a culturally diverse community where we can all enjoy each other.”
This imprint spoke with Platz earlier this week, nearly a month after he took office following the end of commissioner Scott McDougall’s seven-year term in October.
“I also think I’m brave in that I can be decisive but constructive. I’m a collaborative person who will work across agencies and communities,” he said.
The mission so far has seen Platz meet with agencies, nonprofits and community groups to understand their concerns and help shape their priorities.
One of these is the shift from human rights awareness to training organizations on how to prevent discrimination.
“To me, as they say, prevention is better than cure, but we can continue to be combative and it’s almost like playing a game of Whac-a-Mole,” Platz said.
“We will never be able to prevent the discrimination that is happening in Queensland or protect people’s human rights in this way, and we have to be very constructive, very collaborative.”
Collaboration is a theme Platz reiterated frequently during the interview.
Asked whether he would take a different approach to McDougall, who has been an open critic of both governments during his tenure, Platz said it would depend on the situation.
“Although this is an independent commission and I firmly believe in that, being independent does not mean isolation,” he said.
“And in my opinion, constructive collaboration actually fosters independence.”
He noted that the commission had recently submitted to parliamentary scrutiny of the government’s hate speech and gun law changes, where they had “opposing views” but ultimately “supported the intent of the law”. [and] provided opportunities for improvement.”
“This is an example of a constructive relationship that will continue to preserve our independence as a commission.”
Asked what the state’s most pressing human rights issues are, Platz said “there’s a lot happening in that space” in Queensland and across the country.
Platz touched on firebombings of child care centers and Jewish schools and the tragedy of the Bondi attack.
“All of this results in problems that the government is trying to help with by introducing new solutions.” [hate speech and gun control] legislation,” he said.
“And for us, balancing those human rights with discrimination is critical but challenging.”
This balancing act was also a challenge for youth justice. However, Platz said that “detention is a last resort”; This view is not accepted by the government, and agencies working together can limit the number of children detained.
Platz’s offer was not accepted as to whether he shared the concerns expressed by McDougall in his last speech about “disturbing” signals from Crisafulli’s government.
Instead, he said he agreed with the state’s view that it had an opportunity to showcase human rights at the 2032 Games.
The main point that bothered McDougall was the government’s apparent rejection of recommendations to review the Human Rights Act.
The police also refused last March calls from workplace diversity review By McDougall – Ordered by the Richards Inquiry into the police response to domestic violence.
Platz will also not consider whether these examples point to a broader failure by the government and police to take their agency and position seriously.
All in all, Platz said he felt incredibly lucky to be joining the commission.
“Half the battle with leadership is getting people to steer the ship in the right direction and getting people to basically follow you on a journey,” he said.
“And when you come to an organization like this you don’t have to worry too much about that because people are absolutely dedicated and committed to making improvements and making Queensland safer.”
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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.
