Human Rights Commissioner Gillian Triggs is set for a showdown with government MPs on Friday over a controversial case at the centre of a push to overhaul Australia's racial discrimination laws.
The commission confirmed on Thursday it would not use public interest immunity provisions to avoid answering questions about how it handled a complaint brought against three Queensland University of Technology students.
More National News Videos
- Video duration
- 01:57
Turnbull v Triggs
Turnbull v Triggs
The PM and Human Rights Commissioner are in a war of words after Malcolm Turnbull accused the Commission of harming its credibility over a recent 18c case. Courtesy ABC.
Up Next
Grant Hackett found safe and well
- Video duration
- 00:26
- Video duration
- 00:26
Grant Hackett found safe and well
Grant Hackett found safe and well
Father of Olympian Grant Hackett, Nev Hackett reported that his son is alive and sober, but wishes to remain in hiding.
Up Next
Grant Hackett missing
- Video duration
- 00:37
- Video duration
- 00:37
Grant Hackett missing
Grant Hackett missing
Former Olympic gold medallist Grant Hackett has gone missing, his father Neville Hackett has pleaded for the public the help find him. Vision: ABC News24
Up Next
Hackett's dad 'extremely worried'
- Video duration
- 00:37
- Video duration
- 00:37
Hackett's dad 'extremely worried'
Hackett's dad 'extremely worried'
Grant Hackett's father says the former Olympic champion has gone missing and is "very mentally disturbed". Vision: Channel Seven
Up Next
Barnaby's big year
- Video duration
- 01:21
- Video duration
- 01:21
Barnaby's big year
Barnaby's big year
It's a year since Barnaby Joyce was sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister - and he's had some significant wins.
Up Next
Redback spider vs snake
- Video duration
- 00:54
- Video duration
- 00:54
Redback spider vs snake
Redback spider vs snake
Brenton Marr tells 3AW this incredible footage of a spider killing a snake was shot at his engine shop in northern Victoria, where "we breed our spiders tough".
Up Next
'They blackmail us': Domino's boss
- Video duration
- 01:12
- Video duration
- 01:12
'They blackmail us': Domino's boss
'They blackmail us': Domino's boss
Domino's CEO Don Meij blasts franchisees who have underpaid 2,400 workers by $4.5 million as "criminals".
Up Next
Lin family murder survivor speaks
- Video duration
- 01:34
- Video duration
- 01:34
Lin family murder survivor speaks
Lin family murder survivor speaks
Brenda Lin, whose family were murdered by Robert Xie in 2009, breaks her silence in an interview with Seven's Sunday Night.
Turnbull v Triggs
The PM and Human Rights Commissioner are in a war of words after Malcolm Turnbull accused the Commission of harming its credibility over a recent 18c case. Courtesy ABC.
It clears the way for Professor Triggs to be grilled by a parliamentary inquiry on Friday as the government's inquiry into section 18c of the Racial Discrimination Act nears its close.
At an earlier hearing, the human rights boss declined to answer questions about the case – which was ultimately thrown out of court – citing a need to consult on a possible public interest immunity claim.
Attorney-General George Brandis subsequently advised it was a matter for the commission, and after seeking legal advice the commission said it would not claim public interest immunity on most aspects.
Liberal Senator James Paterson will use Friday's hearing to examine how and why the commission took years to process the "scandalous" claim against the students, only for it to be dismissed by a court.
"I'm pleased to hear that Professor Triggs has accepted that they must answer questions about their handling of the case," he told Fairfax Media.
"This case is the most recent and spectacular example of the harm caused by section 18c of the Racial Discrimination Act. The committee would be unable to satisfactorily complete its work without answers from the commission."
The case has been used by advocates as proof that section 18c - which makes it unlawful to use speech that insults, offends, intimidates or humiliates on the basis of race - is too broad and entraps innocent victims in lengthy, costly legal battles.
Whatever the Turnbull government chooses to do on 18c will be informed by the outcome of the inquiry. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says he is open to changing, rather than repealing, section 18c, telling 2GB radio on Wednesday: "I'm a very strong supporter of free speech, so I think we'll see what the committee reports."
Simon Breheny, policy director of the libertarian Institute of Public Affairs, said Professor Triggs needed to give "a full explanation for why [the commission] thought there was merit to the complaint", and also why it communicated solely with QUT rather than the students themselves.
It is considered likely the committee will recommend changes to the complaints handling process, with dissenting members likely going further and recommending the words "insult" and "offend" be replaced with "harass" and "vilify", or something to that effect.
Section 18c has been a preoccupation of several Coalition backbenchers, who argue it has a chilling effect on free speech. However, Labor and the Greens are opposed to changing the law.