Paper Title
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND SOCIAL INNOVATION IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR: RUNNING A TRIBUNAL IN A TIME OF HUMAN RIGHTS LEGISLATION – SOCIAL AND OPERATIONAL IMPLICATIONS

Abstract
Abstract - This paper discusses socially innovative management strategies for operating a business within the public sector, in particular, a civil and administrative tribunal which hears and determines approximately 30 000 cases per year, during a time when human rights legislation in the jurisdiction is in its infancy. The presenter, The Honourable Justice Kerri Mellifont, is a judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland, Australia, and the President of the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal. (QCAT). Part of Justice Mellifont’s role as President is to manage the business operations of the Tribunal. Queensland introduced the Human Rights Act 2019. It came into effect in 2020. It is legislation which imposes obligations on public entities to operate in a way which is consistent with human rights recognised within the Act. The legislation, when operationalised in the management of the business of running a busy tribunal, provides a mechanism for enhancing the understanding and respect of the human rights of those within the business, and of the human rights of those who the business services. Seen in this way, human rights legislationcan be seen as an important and useful tool for social innovation in the operation of the business, and the delivery of service to users. Keywords - Business management – social innovation – public sector – tribunals – civil and administrative law – legal system – human rights legislation implication for operating a business – human rights legislation as a tool for social innovation 1