Cook v State of Queensland (Queensland Police Service)

Cook v State of Queensland (Queensland Police Service) concerns a complaint made by Mr Cook, who has been diagnosed with Bipolar disorder, about the conduct of police investigations into suspected fraudulent activity involving his bank accounts. Mr Cook alleged that he was treated unfavourably because of his disability, and that the police did not properly investigate his case. The Anti-Discrimination Commission referred the complaint to the Tribunal, which considered whether the police investigation amounted to direct discrimination under the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld) ('AD Act'), whether the police unlawfully requested information in contravention of s 124 of the AD Act, and whether victimisation occurred.

The Tribunal found that the police investigations were conducted appropriately and that there was no basis for a contravention of s 124 of the AD Act. The Tribunal also found that the police investigations did not constitute discrimination on the basis of impairment, as Mr Cook was not treated less favourably than a person without Bipolar disorder. The Tribunal concluded that the investigations were closed due to a lack of evidence of fraudulent activity and that the complaints made by Mr Cook were unfounded.

The Tribunal dismissed the complaint, finding that Mr Cook was not treated unfavourably in connection with the supply of services by the police in the conduct of the investigation. The Tribunal also found that there was no unlawful request for information made in contravention of s 124 of the AD Act, and that there was no victimisation. The applicant was ordered to pay the respondents' costs of $1,100 within 21 days of the date of the order.