So shall we add human rights to the long list...

[i-need-a-martini]

...of stuff ups made by the Abbott Government?

The government has appointed (without any recruitment process, merit considerations, interview and even without the GG approval which is the usual process) the anti Human Rights Commission advocate, Tim Wilson as the (and this is truly true) Australian Human Rights Commissioner.

In case you don't know who Wilson is, I can fill you in just a little -

• has campaigned for years to have the AHRC disbanded. And lo and behold, here he is RUNNING it. Go figure.
• right winged extremist who is obsessed with left winged so-called communist activities and thinks all Labor supporters have a communist hiding under their bed. 
• Thinks that health warnings on cigarettes are "nanny state" (his favourite term) politics
• is a vehement 'free speech' advocate
• yet for some reason believes that the family and associates of bikies should not have their 'rights' infringed upon by police wishing to interview them after a crime is committed.
• Climate change talk is all a lie and the CT is a threat to our sovereignty

He is a prolific writer on all things right winged with ridiculous views. A good example is an article in the Australian last month titled: "Who's on first, gay black man or disabled Muslim woman?". The article itself isn't worth reading as it is full of garbage but I think you can get the general gist of this guys attitude from the title.

And his first published article after the appointment? Did it mention human rights for our indigenous people? Or our disabled people? Or asylum seekers being held in detention centres? Nope. He mentioned 2 specific bugbears of his - firstly, that the police have no right to interview family members of bikies and secondly, the innappropriateness of unions (an allegation only BTW) to donate to the cause of same sex marriage.

This person is now head of human rights in Australia.

[bluecat*dancing]

That's the Christmas spirit - showing compassion to those less fortunate. Jesus would be so proud.

[i-need-a-martini]

John - I am going by what Brandis said in a press statement - that he was unable to get the GGs approval but had informed her assistant of the appointment.

However, is THAT the only comment you have to make on this issue? Nothing about Wilson (un)suitability? Nothing about the shonkiness of the recruitment process? Nothing about the hypocrisy of the Liberal Party in regards to political appointments?

Figures.

[izabsmiling]

I think that there would be a graph here if it did actually  figure 

[cherry*135]

Appointment of Mr Timothy Wilson as Human Rights Commissioner

17 December 2013

Cabinet yesterday decided to recommend to her Excellency the Governor-General the appointment of Mr Timothy Wilson as Australia’s new Human Rights Commissioner.

Mr Wilson, who has for the past seven years been a Policy Director at the Institute of Public Affairs, is one of Australia’s most prominent public advocates of the rights of the individual.

http://www.attorneygeneral.gov.au/Mediareleases/Pages/2013/Fourth%20quarter/17December2013-Appointme...

Cabinet decides, GG expected to go along with choice?

[cherry*135]

In summary, the Governor-General has many important constitutional, ceremonial and community duties to perform. For example, the Governor-General: 

• dissolves the Parliament and issues writs for new elections; 
• commissions the Prime Minister and appoints other Ministers after elections; 
• gives assent to laws when they have been passed by the two Houses of Parliament – the Senate and the House of Representatives**; 
• acts on the advice of Ministers through the Executive Council to issue regulations and proclamations under existing laws; to appoint Federal Judges; to appoint Ambassadors and High Commissioners to overseas countries, to appoint other senior Government officials; to issue Royal Commissions of Inquiry; and other matters, as required by particular legislation; 
• authorises many other executive decisions by Ministers such as approving treaties with foreign governments.

gg.gov.au

[monman12]

INAM: "This person is now head of human rights in Australia."

Actually INAM, the head is Professor Gillian Triggs and from what I have read,  federal cabinet has appointed Tim Wilson as one of the Australian Human Rights Commission's seven commissioners, also he does not require GG approval INAM as we operate under the Westminster system wherein the GG  follows the PM's (ministers) directives.

Shock horror, judge that against this from 2003: "Libya elected chair of UN human rights commission"

At least Shorten displays a refreshing approach to Wilson's appointment: "On Wednesday, Labor leader Bill Shorten congratulated Mr Wilson on his appointment: Mr Shorten said he was concerned about the issue of "putting people in charge of organisations that they don't respect." "But added: "Let's see how they go".

Next he will be mixing plaster to repair that mistreated wall DY is so concerned over.

[monman12]

INAM: "John - I am going by what Brandis said in a press statement - that he was unable to get the GGs approval but had informed her assistant of the appointment."

"So hasty was the cabinet appointment, the formalities of submitting it to the Governor-General will not be conducted until next year (though Senator Brandis says her secretary was informed ''as a courtesy''

Approval is not required INAM, it is a rubber stamp formality.

INAM: "Nothing about the hypocrisy of the Liberal Party in regards to political appointments?"  Both sides do it INAM,  your indignation is based on your personal politics. Remember the Bracks appointment?, and as for other political appointments it would be hard to overlook the ACTU retirement home in Canberra for faithful members.

[cherry*135]

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION PRESIDENT REACTS TO APPOINTMENT OF TIM WILSON 

PETER LLOYD: Professor Gillian Triggs is the president of the Human Rights Commission. She's Tim Wilson's new boss but she didn't have a say in the appointment.

GILLIAN TRIGGS: Well the attorney advised me that he would be making an appointment some 10 days ago, and I was advised by the Attorney-General's Department of the name about three or four days ago.

PETER LLOYD: What was your reaction?

GILLIAN TRIGGS: Well, um, I knew that the attorney was looking for somebody who really wanted to bring some fresh air into the commission, to shake us all up a bit, which of course I fully support. 

It is interesting, of course, that somebody has come from the Institute of Public Affairs, and we welcome Tim's appointment. He's clearly got some thoughts on freedom of expression.

PETER LLOYD: Has he ever. Tim Wilson wants the Abbott Government to abolish Section 18C of the federal Race Discrimination Act.

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 a racial or ethnic ground.

It's the provision used to prosecute Murdoch newspaper writer Andrew Bolt for publishing deceptive and offensive material about Indigenous people. But not even the Government speaks about abolishing all of 18C.

Professor Triggs again:

GILLIAN TRIGGS: And it may be that the approach for reform that the attorney is considering is one that makes reasonably good sense.

PETER LLOYD: So to be clear, the repeal, the abolition of 18C, is definitely not something you agree with?

GILLIAN TRIGGS: That's correct.

PETER LLOYD: And so the scene is set for a clash of wills at the Human Rights Commission. Tim Wilson is dead certain that he wants 18C gone. There is no ambiguity.

TIM WILSON: I want Section 18C repealed.

PETER LLOYD: You're already at odds with Gillian Triggs. Professor Triggs doesn't want it repealed, she wants it rewritten.

TIM WILSON: 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's going to happen, ah, what the general view is on Section 18C amongst some parts of the community.

PETER LLOYD: But not even the Attorney-General wants 18C abolished. Are you at odds with the very man that appointed you to the job?

TIM WILSON: Well I may very well be. We'll wait and see how his position evolves over time, but my view is that a rebalancing is to make sure that Section 18C is repealed.

PETER LLOYD: Why does 18C need to be repealed?

TIM WILSON: Because 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.

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

PETER LLOYD: The debate begins in earnest in February when Tim Wilson attends his first official meeting of human rights commissioner.

http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2013/s3913309.htm

[cherry*135]

• There is only one Human Rights Commisioner

  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioners

  Disability Discrimination Commissioners

  Human Rights Commissioners
  Race Discrimination Commissioners
  Sex Discrimination Commissioners
  Age Discrimination Commissioner
  National Children's Commissioner

[cherry*135]

---

@monman12 wrote:

..the head is Professor Gillian Triggs and from what I have read,  federal cabinet has appointed Tim Wilson as one of the Australian Human Rights Commission's seven commissioners, also he does not require GG approval  as we operate under the Westminster system wherein the GG  follows the PM's (ministers) directives.

---

Cabinet yesterday decided to recommend to her Excellency the Governor-General the appointment of Mr Timothy Wilson as Australia’s new Human Rights Commissioner.

Another example:

ASQA is an independent statutory agency, comprising a Chief Commissioner and two other Commissioners, who are appointed by the Governor-General for up to five years.

The GG appoints Commisioners but has no say whether they are suitable candidates or not?