Appointment of Race Commissioner

The Australian Human Rights Commission President, Professor Gillian Triggs, has welcomed the appointment of Dr Tim Soutphommasane as Australia’s Race Discrimination Commissioner.

Dr Soutphommasane is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Institute for Democracy and Human Rights at the University of Sydney. He is of Chinese and Lao extraction, and a first-generation Australian.

Dr Soutphommasane has written extensively on race and politics, as a commentator for newspapers including The Australian, The Sydney Morning Herald, and The Age; and as the author of books such as Don't Go Back To Where You Came From: Why Multiculturalism Works (New South Books, 2012).

He is a board member of the National Australia Day Council, a member of the Australian Multicultural Council and a fellow of Per Capita and St James Ethics Centre.

“Dr Soutphommasane is an influential thinker, writer and broadcaster who has substantially contributed to national discussions about diversity and national identity,” Professor Triggs said.

“Dr Soutphommasane will play a critical role at the Australian Human Rights Commission as the Race Discrimination Commissioner.

“His skills and experience will help build communities where people of all cultures and backgrounds feel safe, respected and included.”

Source: Australian Human Rights Commission.