Rosalind Croucher to replace Gillian Triggs as head of Human Rights Commission
Updated
A new controversy has already emerged over the choice of Rosalind Croucher as Human Rights Commission (AHRC) president.
Key points:
- Rosalind Croucher will replace Gillian Triggs, whose term ends next week
- Mark Dreyfus says Professor Croucher "would do a fine job as AHRC president"
- "Under Croucher, the erosion of our freedoms by the AHRC will likely continue," IPA research fellow says
Attorney-General George Brandis has announced Professor Croucher will start a seven-year term next week. She has previously been the head of the Law Reform Commission.
Senator Brandis said Professor Croucher has had an illustrious career as a lawyer and "an outstanding reputation for her pragmatic, constructive and analytical approach to law reform".
He paid tribute to her leadership, saying her experience would bring strength to the role and make her the right person to implement and oversee the significant reforms to the Commission.
"The Government looks forward to the cooperative relationship with Professor Croucher that we are sure she will foster as she undertakes this important task," Senator Brandis said.
She will replace Gillian Triggs, whose term ends next week.
Professor Triggs was heavily criticised by some in the Coalition, especially for her report into children in immigration detention, which Tony Abbott described as a "blatantly partisan politicised exercise".
Shadow attorney-general Mark Dreyfus said Professor Croucher has done an outstanding job heading the Law Reform Commission and "would do a fine job as AHRC president".
"Under her leadership, the commission has completed landmark reports on elder abuse, native title, and family violence," Mr Dreyfus said.
"It is a credit to the commission that it will again be led by an extremely accomplished and competent female leader, following the conclusion of Professor Gillian Triggs' term as president," he said.
Mr Dreyfus said Professor Triggs had to defend the commission and herself against "an endless stream of unfair and unjust criticism".
"This criticism has been driven by people who believe the AHRC itself should not exist, and should not play the important role of protecting Australians from abuse of their human rights," Mr Dreyfus said.
"Professor Triggs has withstood this pressure with grace and fortitude."
He described Professor Triggs as fearless in holding governments of both sides to account and said that would be her important legacy.
"Labor hopes that Professor Croucher will not be made to face the same ideological warfare her predecessor had to deal with," Mr Dreyfus said.
"It is time for this to stop, and allow Professor Croucher to do her job in leading the AHRC in its important work."
'Erosion of freedoms will continue'
But the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA), which advocates for economic and political freedom, has called the choice of Professor Croucher "a Triggs-lite appointment".
Research fellow at the IPA, Morgan Begg, said the decision represented a failure to defend fundamental human rights in Australia.
"Appointing a person with no apparent commitment to freedom of speech erases the Government's good work in attempting to expand our liberal democratic rights by reforming section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act earlier this year," he said.
"Under Croucher, the erosion of our freedoms by the Australian Human Rights Commission will likely continue.
"If the Government will not appoint people to the Commission that will defend individual liberties such as freedom of speech, then it should be abolished."
But the Law Council welcomed Professor Croucher's appointment and said she was eminently qualified for the vital role.
"Professor Croucher has had a brilliant career in the law, and her long and successful stint as President of the Australian Law Reform Commission has enhanced the standing of the institution," Law Council president Fiona McLeod said.
"She enjoys an outstanding reputation among her peers for her clear-sighted, pragmatic, and strategic approach to law reform.
"I have no doubt her seven-year term as president of the AHRC with be marked by the same insight and clarity that has defined her illustrious career to date. "
Triggs served with 'passion and purpose'
Ms McLeod said the AHRC had a critical role in ensuring human rights were promoted, protected, and understood.
"We are extremely pleased to see someone of Professor Croucher's standing appointed to lead," she said.
Ms McLeod also paid tribute to Professor Triggs.
"Professor Triggs served the AHRC with indefatigable passion and purpose," Ms McLeod said.
"We are grateful for the way she has represented the legal profession and the promotion of human rights within and outside Australia."
Topics: government-and-politics, federal-government, rights, human, australia
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