Hugh de Kretser commences his five-year term at the helm in July
The Australian Human Rights Commission has named Yoorrook Justice Commission CEO Hugh de Kretser as its new president.
de Kretser commences his five-year term at the helm on 30 July, after Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM steps down following a seven-year run as president.
“For over twenty years [de Kretser] has been a dedicated and effective advocate for positive change for people and communities whose human rights are at risk", Croucher said. "I look forward to handing the baton to Mr de Kretser as he takes the commission into its next phase in its critical role of protecting and promoting human rights in Australia”.
de Kretser has been involved in Australian public interest legal action focused on advancing human rights. He has contributed to significant human rights cases and issues, including the protection of refugee rights and asylum seekers; marriage equality; justice for First Nations peoples; and progressing democratic freedoms such as the right to protest and freedom of expression.
He previously served as executive director of the Human Rights Law Centre and Executive Officer of the Victorian Federation of Community Legal Centres. He was also a commissioner of the Victorian Law Reform Commission and a director of the Sentencing Advisory Council.
According to Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus KC, de Kretser was selected for the role after an open merit selection process.
