Tim Wilson, former policy director of Institute of Public Affairs, appointed Human Rights Commissioner

Updated

The incoming human rights commissioner has defended his appointment to a role that he recently said should be scrapped.

The Federal Government says it appointed Tim Wilson, the former policy director of the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA), to restore balance to the Human Rights Commission.

Under Mr Wilson the IPA had called for Commission to be abolished.

But now he says he sees no issue in accepting the role.

"The essential part of this job is to make sure the Human Rights Commission is doing its job, and the key reason why the IPA advocated for its abolition is because it wasn't, and so some would see it as very consistent indeed," he said.

In accepting the appointment, he announced his resignation from the free-market think tank, and from the Victorian Liberal Party.

Mr Wilson says he wants the Human Rights Commission to focus on promoting freedom of speech, and says one of his first priorities will be pushing for the repeal of section 18C of the Federal Racial Discrimination Act.

Discrimination law used to prosecute Bolt first in new commissioner's sights

Section 18C was recently used to prosecute News Corp Australia columnist Andrew Bolt for publishing deceptive and offensive material about Indigenous people.

It makes it unlawful to do an act that ''is reasonably likely, in all the circumstances, to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate another person or a group of people'' on racial or ethnic grounds.

"It basically puts subjective tests on speech which may be deemed to insult, offend, humiliate groups of people based on people's comments. Now that can never be applied consistently, and ultimately means that people are afraid to say things that they may otherwise feel," Mr Wilson said.

"We should have a contest of ideas on in public debate, and bad ideas and opinions which are derogatory to others should be heard and mocked and ridiculed rather than shut down."

Brandis paid glowing tribute to new appointee

Attorney-General George Brandis spoke out against the prosecution while in Opposition and has made the issue a priority since the Coalition took power.

Senator Brandis is reportedly planning to repeal the prohibition within 18C used to prosecute Bolt.

In appointing Mr Wilson as commissioner he spoke glowingly, describing him as a "human rights champion".

"He was at the forefront in thwarting recent attempts to erode freedom of speech, freedom of the press and artistic freedom – rights and freedoms Australians have always held precious," Senator Brandis said in a statement.

"The appointment of Mr Wilson to this important position will help to restore balance to the Australian Human Rights Commission which, during the period of the Labor government, had become increasingly narrow and selective in its view of human rights.

"Mr Wilson's extensive background as a public policy intellectual, his skill as an advocate, and his courage as a human rights champion, make him superbly equipped to be Australia's new Human Rights Commissioner."

18C stance puts Wilson on collision course with Commission president

Mr Wilson's opposition to the section puts him at odds with his new boss, Commission president Gillian Triggs, but he says he has no plans to change his opinion.

"That is Professor Triggs' position, and yes there is a difference in our views and this is precisely why there will ultimately be some discussion within the Commission about where the Commission heads from here, because my appointment is asking a very clear message about what the general view is on Section 18C amongst some parts of the community," he said.

And he says differences of opinions are a good thing for the Commission.

"I have no doubt that I'll have many robust discussions with colleagues now at the Human Rights Commission and that there will be a diversity of views and in one sense that's a very important thing," he said.

"What we shouldn't be having is groupthink. We should be having people standing up firmly for human rights."

Labor says appointment 'blatantly political'

Labor's shadow attorney-general Mark Dreyfus has questioned the appointment, saying it signals a "blatant political agenda".

"In their pre-election wish list for the Abbott government the IPA also made clear their view that Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act should be repealed in full," he said.

"In August the Institute of Public Affairs called for the privatisation of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

"By appointing Mr Wilson, Senator Brandis has sent a strong signal about exactly the kind of blatant political agenda he wishes to pursue as Attorney-General."

Topics: human, rights, federal-government, australia

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