The new President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, Hugh de Kretser, said maintaining the push to see a national Human Rights Act introduced will be among his key priorities, as he today commenced in the role.
President de Kretser's appointment to a five-year term was announced by the Federal Attorney-General, the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC, in May. He takes over from Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM, who completed her seven-year term on Monday 29 July.
"It is an honour to take on this role. The Australian Human Rights Commission is a vital national institution which promotes justice and human rights for all Australians," Mr de Kretser said.
"Human rights are the blueprint for a decent, dignified life for all. When human rights are respected, our lives are better, and our communities are stronger, healthier, safer, and more prosperous.
"As a wealthy, stable democracy, Australia can and should be leading the world on human rights. We must do better on a range of issues; including our treatment of First Nations people, people with disability and refugees and people seeking asylum. We need to address rising antisemitism and Islamophobia. We need to ensure that everyone can access decent education, housing, and healthcare.
"There are many opportunities to better protect the rights of all. The Commission, under Professor Croucher's leadership, made significant progress in advancing the case for a Human Rights Act and modernised, comprehensive and effective national anti-discrimination laws. The Commission's landmark Free and Equal Report highlights the inadequacy of existing protections and provides a roadmap for reform.
"Across the country, support for a national Human Rights Act is strong. A Human Rights Act will protect the rights of all Australians, promote better understanding of rights, and give people the power to take action if their rights are breached. It will help ensure that everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Now is the time for the Australian Government to make a Human Rights Act a reality."
For more than two decades, Mr de Kretser has played a critical role advancing human rights in Australia. He was previously the CEO of the Yoorrook Justice Commission, the first formal truth-telling process into historical and ongoing injustices experienced by First Nations people in Victoria.
Prior to this, Mr de Kretser was the Executive Director of the Human Rights Law Centre, Executive Officer of the Victorian Federation of Community Legal Centres, a Commissioner of the Victorian Law Reform Commission, and a Director of the Sentencing Advisory Council. He has worked at the coalface of rights abuses as a community lawyer and started his career advising companies on employment and anti-discrimination law.
