Loop hole closed in Queensland's Guide Dog laws

Guide Dogs Queensland has welcomed amendments to laws in Queensland which give Guide Dog users equal access to holiday accommodation.
On 1 December 2011, the State Government announced the Guide Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act 2009 will be amended so that Guide Dogs are welcome to stay alongside their handlers in holiday accommodation such units, apartments, resorts and hotels. 
The amendments make it an offence for a person in control of a place of accommodation to deny accommodation - both residential and holiday - to a person with a disability because they are accompanied by their certified Guide, Hearing or Assistance Dog.
GDQ Chief Executive Officer Chris Laine said the rights of Guide Dog users would now be completely protected when entering all public places in Queensland.
The Association has been working closely with the Department of Communities to close a loophole in the Act which saw one of our Guide Dog clients turned away from a holiday destination in 2010.
“Prior to the amendment, the laws failed to specify areas of accommodation which meant people who were blind or vision impaired could be denied from staying in certain hotels, motels and apartments on account of their Guide Dog,” she said.
“North Queensland Guide Dog user Geoff Skinner was refused accommodation on the Gold Coast and the Department was not able to take action on his behalf as a result of the loophole.
“We welcome any amendment that brings the legislation up to speed with the previous Guide Dog Act of 1972 which completely protected the rights of Guide Dog users to access all public places.
“It was of great concern to GDQ that people who need Guide Dogs to remain independent were not fully protected from discrimination, and we have been lobbying the Government ever since the new laws came into force to have the amendments made,” she said.
In making the announcement, Minister for Disability Services The Hon Curtis paid tribute to Mr Skinner for his role in the campaign.
“Mr Skinner has experienced discrimination first-hand,” Mr Pitt said.
“He was refused accommodation in a Gold Coast unit which was advertised on a website because he was accompanied by a Guide Dog. He took his case to the Anti-Discrimination and has campaigned for changes to the Act which would make it an offence to deny accommodation," he said.
Mr Pitt reiterated that breaches of the proposed amendments could attract harsh penalties.
Property owners and managers who don’t do the right thing and refuse people accommodation are liable for a penalty of up to $10,000 (for individuals) and $50,000 (for businesses.