United Nations inspectors will soon be able to visit mental health patients being detained in Queensland facilities as the state government acts on a pledge to change laws in the final sitting week of the year.
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The UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture last month suspended a tour of Australia's detention facilities, saying Queensland and NSW had not co-operated with its delegation.
Queensland Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman will on Thursday introduce a bill to parliament to change laws so inspectors can physically access detained mental health patients.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk promised that change by the end of this year after admitting the UN delegation had been legally constrained.
"There were some restrictions around physical access to authorised mental health facilities and the Forensic Disability Service," she told parliament last month.
Queensland Corrective Services insisted it had co-operated with the UN delegation, giving them "unrestricted access" to a Brisbane correctional centre and allowing them to meet prisoners and staff.
However, Queensland Health told AAP the inspector couldn't legally have physical access to some detained patients living with severe mental illness or cognitive impairments.
Australian Associated Press
