Hugh de Kretser kicked off his five-year term in the role today
Former Yoorrook Justice Commission CEO Hugh de Kretser has begun his five-year term as the new president of the Australian Human Rights Commission today.
de Kretser takes on the role with the official departure of Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM from the post yesterday after seven years.
“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. 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”, de Kretser said.
The new president has long advocated for human rights; in addition to his tenure with the Yoorrook Justice Commission, he was also part of the Human Rights Law Centre as executive director, of the Victorian Federation of Community Legal Centres as executive officer, of the Victorian Law Reform Commission as a commissioner, and of the Sentencing Advisory Council as a director. He also practised as a community lawyer and provided employment and anti-discrimination law guidance to companies.
de Kretser highlighted as a key priority of his term the advocacy for a national Human Rights Act.
“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”, he said. “There are many opportunities to better protect the rights of all. The Commission, under 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”.
He pointed out that nationwide support for such a law was “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”, he said.
