Commission welcomes new President

The Australian Human Rights Commission welcomes the appointment of Hugh de Kretser as the new President to succeed Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM, who departs at the end of July after a seven-year term. 

The Attorney-General, the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC today announced the appointment of Mr de Kretser after an open merit selection process. 

“On behalf of Commissioners and staff, I am delighted to welcome Mr de Kretser to the Commission. For over twenty years he has been a dedicated and effective advocate for positive change for people and communities whose human rights are at risk,” said outgoing President, Emeritus Professor Croucher. 

“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.”

Mr de Kretser has been at the forefront of Australian public interest legal action to advance human rights. He has played a critical role on a number of landmark human rights cases and issues, including in relation to protecting the rights of refugees and people seeking asylum, marriage equality, securing justice for First Nations peoples, and in advancing democratic freedoms including the right to protest and freedom of expression.

He is currently CEO of the Yoorrook Justice Commission – the first formal truth-telling process into historical and ongoing injustices experienced by First Nations peoples in Victoria. Prior to that he was the Executive Director of the Human Rights Law Centre and Executive Officer of the Victorian Federation of Community Legal Centres. Mr de Kretser has served as a Commissioner of the Victorian Law Reform Commission and a Director of the Sentencing Advisory Council.

Mr de Kretser begins his five-year term on 30 July 2024.

Media contact: media@humanrights.gov.au or 0457 281 897