Tim Wilson appointed Human Rights Commissioner

Tim Wilson appointed Human Rights Commissioner
Image: Tim Wilson from the IPA unloads on activists

timCLASSICAL libertarian advocate and openly-gay man Tim Wilson has been appointed as Australia’s Human Rights Commissioner by Attorney-General George Brandis.

Wilson has for the past seven years been the policy director at the Institute of Public Affairs. He takes on the position that was previously held by Catherine Branson QC until mid last year. The Human Rights Commission’s president, Gillian Triggs, had been acting Human Rights Commissioner until this week.

For the past few months, Wilson has criticised the commission, including calling for the organisation this January to be abolished.

A month later, Wilson alleged it was “missing in action” for not lobbying louder for freedom of speech, in the wake of a court decision against Herald Sun columnist Andrew Bolt and his claims about several high-profile “light skinned” indigenous people.

Wilson has also supported moves by the Federal Government to amend or repeal Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act, which makes it an offence to act in a manner 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.

A week ago, he criticised the commission for holding its annual awards night at Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art. Wilson will now be paid over $320,000 in his new role.

Announcing the decision, Brandis said Wilson’s background served him well to be the “Freedom Commissioner”, and instead of concentrating on “narrow and selective” human rights issues such as non-discrimination he would instead focus on freedom of speech issues.

“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 right,” he said.

“During the election campaign, I promised to create at least one “Freedom Commissioner” at the Australian Human Rights Commission. Next year, I intend to bring forward reforms to the commission. In the meantime, I have asked Mr Wilson to focus on the protection of the traditional liberal democratic and common law rights, including, in particular, the rights recognised by Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.”

Community Action Against Homophobia co-convener Karl Hand responded to the announcement by saying it was reminiscent of Prime Minister Tony Abbott recently appointing himself to the Ministry of Women.

“Tim Wilson’s appointment as Human Rights Commissioner is a feat of Orwellian doublespeak,” Hand said.

“His past qualifications consist largely in having been the president of a student association and having worked for a rightwing think tank. Already, he is indicating a swing towards neo-liberal ideology, calling racial and sexual bullying ‘freedom of speech’, and perhaps more absurdly, calling Australia’s media monopoly ‘freedom of the media’.

“We need a Human Rights Commission which would actually protect the vulnerable in our society rather than supporting the reactionary interests of [Rupert] Murdoch and his radio shock-jocks.”

Meanwhile, Sydney state independent MP Alex Greenwich said that although he disagreed with Wilson on a number of key issues, he was hopeful he would continue to lead on the issue of marriage equality.

“The Sydney electorate is deeply concerned about the protection and advancement of human rights and protecting vulnerable groups, including the LGBTI community, from discrimination,” Greenwich said.

“As an openly gay man himself, Mr Wilson has proven himself to be accessible and understanding of the aspirations of the LGBTI community, including marriage equality.

“We do disagree in some key areas of the law including some anti-discrimination protections, but I look forward to working with Mr Wilson in his new role and putting forward the case for further anti-discrimination protections for the LGBTI community.”

Australian Marriage Equality national director Rodney Croome said he hoped a focus on freedom also included the freedom of LGBTI to marry their partners regardless of sex or gender.

“Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex Australians will look to Mr Wilson to ​help ensure we can live our lives free from unfair treatment,” he said.

Accepting the position, Wilson suggested that there had been a weakening in recent years in regards to some fundamental human rights.

“As Australia’s Human Rights Commissioner I will seek to reverse the incremental dilution of human rights and reassert their essential status in our community,” Wilson said.

“I will unapologetically approach this important role with the strong belief that human rights are important, consistent and universal and provide the foundations for a free society.

“As Human Rights Commissioner I will put freedom on the offensive: where it belongs.”

Wilson has now resigned from the Institute of Public Affairs and from the Victorian Division of the Liberal Party to concentrate on his new role.

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16 responses to “Tim Wilson appointed Human Rights Commissioner”

  1. We all hope that the appointment of Tim is positive and bring freedom and fulfillment of human rights for all. Recall that rights are main topic for anyone’s rights are not violated.

  2. What chance does an elderly gay man have, when a papers editor goes after gay people in a one paper town, with the mask of freedom of speech? Or a 17 year old, who is same-sex attracted who also lives in the same town. Yelling out fire, when there is none, at a cinema, also causes harm, hurt, and panic. We are not a clone army as Tim Wilson demonstrates, but I depart with his views that some of us do not need protection from the powerful. What happens if Tony Abbott repeats some his hate speeches about us good folk, with his power as Prime Minister?

    I strongly disagree with this notion Tim is putting forward, that some should have free speech, those with extraordinary power, and should be free from the consequences of the harm inflicted. There is no notion of responsibility for what you say within the Brandis war.

    Free speech is the first argument put forward when someone has suffered, from the actions of an elite commentator. When lies in a hate speech were put forward to attack the existence of another human, we get a chorus about free speech. I simply ask that responsibility is included when an editor lays the boot in gay people, or people of a race they do not like. When Andrew Bolt goes after someone, because of the colour of their skin, or sexuality, or any other attribute they were born with, why not not protect a minority with no power to get there free speech into the same newspaper space?

  3. The appointment of Tim Wilson as a Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission by the Coalition is a great day for Australia, and particularly for the GLBTIQ community.What a shame so many in our community cant look past their own blinkered bigoted idea of what a gay man should look and sound like.And how embarrassed and confused some of you you sound that a successful proud openly gay man who has championed freedom to marry from within the Liberal party has been appointed to such high office by an Abbott Government. Good luck Tim, its a culture war and the gloves need to come off!

    • His appointment has not been well received by my many Michael and yes Tim has on these very pages provided his advice on how to get the freedom to marry to be the coalition policy.

      Tim knows how to draw a crowd.

  4. I applaud Star Observer for a more balanced article about dealing with Gay men and their identity.

    It’s not just a syncopated analysis.

    Thanks for a refreshing change.

  5. So as a classical liberal he will destroy all decency to a man that uses his gay status for free p.r like this publication.

    Should Aussie Greeks like Golden Dawn because their Greek as well??

    Extremist groups should be denounced like the plague when their politics suck!!

    I hope the decency of the normal G.L.B.T.I.Q community see him for what he stands for

  6. This is a very sad day for Human Rights in Australia, a genuine slap in the face for anyone who believes all humans are born equal.
    The man probably hasn’t spoken to an Indigenous Australian his whole life… forget about the fact he is a member of a party that is denying LGBTI Australians the right to marry (his right also?!?)
    It’s pure politics and has nothing to do with human rights, more so freedom to say homophobic, racist, sexist and so on comments with out any recourse in short the freedom to hate.
    Nice work Australian Government.
    :(

  7. To most people he would appear a “conservative” , the term Classical Liberal has little context to the general public. In a nutshell, small govt, market dictates everything, including workers rights etc, human rights, etc

    He and the IPA wanted the HRC abolished, that’s on the record. This wasn’t going to happen, so instead he will do it from the inside. IT’S UNBELIEVABLE THIS HAS HAPPENED.

    This is a tragic day for all Australians, except may be the Andrew Bolt’s who like to incite racial hatred and those who believer workers rights (also covered by the HRC appeal process) should be eroded.

    He will pave the way for those under 16 to work in Gina’s coal mines and force indigenous workers to pick up rubbish, without any course of appeal to have them seen as “human”.

  8. For those who may have only read the first few paragraphs and thought it’s good that a gay man has been appointed to this position, it’s not. He may be gay but he’s a right wing extremist. His idea of “human rights” is a tunnel vision of American style gun toting “freedom”. Libertarians believe in abolishing all government law and regulation. He supports the repeal of racial discrimination laws on the basis of “freedom of speech”, and therefore supports the same mentalities that also give rise to homophobia. In essence, he’s the definition of contradiction.

    Oh top of this he’s a sacrificial offering served up by Tony Abbott so he can say to his left side he has nothing against gays but on his right side deny them rights. It’s unsurprising that a day after Abbott confirms he has no plans to let the Liberal party take a conscience vote on marriage equality a right ring gay man is appointed to a prominent position. A man who only months ago called for the commission to be disbanded. If he hates the commission so much, then why on earth would he be so keen to front it? It’s downright insulting to the Australian public.

    • Your interpretation of rights and freedom is abhorrent. You’re applying collectivist thought to the notion of liberty. It is incompatible.

      “He may be gay but he’s a right wing extremist.”

      The left needs to stop throwing this statement around. “Right wing extremist” is the Taliban. Abbott and his government and moderate Tory’s. They’re pushovers. Stop hyperventilating.

      “His idea of “human rights” is a tunnel vision of American style gun toting ‘freedom’.”

      What is your interpretation of “American style free”? Americans believe in a right to bear arms to protect against tyranny and the herd. If you go against the herd you are an enemy. America’s gun laws don’t openly advocate that everyone must have a gun: it suggest you should protect yourself as an individual if need be. We need similar freedoms here. We don’t have them.

      “Libertarians believe in abolishing all government law and regulation.”

      Law is not owned by government. If it were, we’d be North Korea 2.0. Law is a subsidiary of the people. It protects INDIVIDUALS (not society) from exploitation and violence. It keeps us safe, including FROM the government.

      “He supports the repeal of racial discrimination laws on the basis of “freedom of speech”, and therefore supports the same mentalities that also give rise to homophobia. In essence, he’s the definition of contradiction.”

      Urgh. He doesn’t want to repeal the racial discrimination laws. He wants to repeal the bits in it that say that if you offend someone you are committing a crime. No one says it’s okay to be a homophobe. But you don’t have a right to not be a offended. That is a bullshit right that doesn’t exist. It is an extensive harassment of freedom of speech. It goes well beyond simply “offending” someone. You might not be offended by what I say but you can sue based on precedent.

      “Oh top of this he’s a sacrificial offering served up by Tony Abbott so he can say to his left side he has nothing against gays but on his right side deny them rights. It’s unsurprising that a day after Abbott confirms he has no plans to let the Liberal party take a conscience vote on marriage equality a right ring gay man is appointed to a prominent position. A man who only months ago called for the commission to be disbanded. If he hates the commission so much, then why on earth would he be so keen to front it? It’s downright insulting to the Australian public.”

      He said it should be disbanded so long as someone that isn’t actually championing individual rights is in charge.

      Abbott and the Liberals believe in evolutionary change: slow, educational progress, not erratic, political change like that we saw with the ACT laws.

      • You don’t see him as right wing or extreme because your political compass is already pointing in that direction. I dare say that even moderate views appear extreme-left in your eyes.

        Your argument that Australians should have the freedom to own a gun if they so wish “because they can” is just plain selfishness. There’s no benefit to the population in having the “freedom” to own a gun.

        And that’s because right wing ideologies are based in selfishness.

        Which is the driving factor in him wanting to repeal section 18C. The selfishness of people (well, lets not kid ourselves, the only people this affects is Andrew Bolt and some shock jocks) to be able to insult other people without consequence.

        The selfishness that drives this simplistic “freedom” ideology disregards the rights of those more vulnerable in society. It requires the vulnerable to be oppressed, and this is where the benefit logic behind “freedom” falls apart. This is also where the logic in your post above falls apart IC-1101: You said the law “protects individuals from exploitation and violence”, however in your quest for FREEDOM you are stripping away those very protections.

        Finally, your call that Abbott believes is also completely contradictory. If he is against being erratic, why did he so quickly direct the Commonwealth to challenge the ACT? Why is he scrapping the carbon price? Why is he ripping the NBN apart? Sounds pretty erratic to me.

        Would you like some sauce with your freedom fries?

  9. Wilson hasn’t been appointed “Human Rights Commissioner” nor replaced Gillian Triggs in the “top job”. He’s been appointed “Freedom Commissioner”, a position akin to the specialised rounds within the HRC: ie •Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice, Age, Race, Sex, Disability, Children