The Human Rights Law Centre criticised the lack of an open, merit-based process for the appointment of Australia’s newest Human Rights Commissioner. It called on the Morrison government to commit to public, independent merit-based selection processes for Australian Human Rights Commission appointments.

Attorney-General Michaelia Cash yesterday announced the appointment of Lorraine Finlay as the next Human Rights Commissioner. Ms Finlay is appointed for a five year term and replaces the outgoing commissioner Edward Santow whose term recently finished.  

Human Rights Law Centre Executive Director Hugh de Kretser said: 

“Whether it’s dealing with the indefinite detention of refugees or the shameful treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, it’s clear that Australia needs a strong and independent Australian Human Rights Commission.  

“Fair, open and merit-based selection processes for commissioner positions are critical in ensuring the commission’s independence and effectiveness. Instead, it appears that this is a hand-picked appointment that goes completely against best-practice processes. 

“We don’t prejudge Ms Finlay’s contribution to the commission. The issue is how Senator Cash came to the conclusion that she is the best person for the job.  

“For the best appointment model, the Morrison government should look to the internationally agreed standards for national human rights institutions. These standards require a clear, transparent and participatory appointment process. Vacancies should be publicised to maximise the number of potential candidates. There should be broad consultation and candidates should be assessed on the basis of pre-determined, objective and publicly available criteria.  

“On the international stage, the Morrison government has continued Australia’s leadership in promoting standards that affirm the importance of strong, independent national human rights institutions. The Morrison government needs to live up to these standards at home and commit to an open merit-based selection processes for future appointments.”

Background 

The Australian Human Rights Commission is an independent national institution that promotes understanding and respect for human rights in Australia. It receives and mediates thousands of discrimination and human rights complaints each year, undertakes public education and conducts major inquiries into human rights issues of national significance, such as its Respect@Work inquiry and its Stolen Generations report. 

Following criticism of the hand-picked appointment of Tim Wilson as Human Rights Commission in 2013, successive Australian governments have, until now, generally adopted open recruitment processes for commission appointments. The Human Rights Commissioner position is one of a number of government-appointed positions at the Australian Human Rights Commission. 

On 14 September, 2021, Hugh de Kretser, executive director of the Human Rights Law Centre, signed a joint letter to Attorney-General Michaela Cash calling on the government to commit to public, independent merit-based selection processes for senior Australian Human Rights Commission appointments.

Media contact:

Evan Schuurman, Media and Communications Manager, 0406 117 937, evan.schuurman@hrlc.org.au