Queensland to change laws that prevented UN inspectors entering mental health wards

Annastacia Palaszczuk says the restrictions will be removed this year to comply with Opcat treaty

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Queensland will introduce legislation that would allow United Nations officials to visit its mental health wards in a move that could leave New South Wales as the only Australian jurisdiction to refuse entry to inspectors.

A UN anti-torture subcommittee suspended its tour of Australian detention facilities after Guardian Australia revealed Queensland refused access to some mental health facilities that hold people charged with crimes, while NSW blocked inspectors from entering all of its detention facilities.

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