Our people
The Commission has a President, seven Commissioners and is led by a Chief Executive.
About our people
The Commission is a collegiate body made up of a President and seven Commissioners. The President is responsible for managing the administrative affairs of the Commission and is the accountable authority of the Commission. The President delegates some of their powers to the Chief Executive and other staff.
Our President and Commissioners
Hugh de Kretser
President
Dr Anna Cody
Sex Discrimination Commissioner
Lorraine Finlay
Human Rights Commissioner
Robert Fitzgerald AM
Age Discrimination Commissioner
Rosemary Kayess
Disability Discrimination Commissioner
Katie Kiss
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner
Giridharan Sivaraman
Race Discrimination Commissioner
Deb Tsorbaris
Children's Commissioner
Leanne Smith
Chief Executive
Previous office holders
President:
- Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM: 2017 - 2024
- Professor Gillian Triggs: 2012 - 2017
- The Hon. Catherine Branson QC: 2008 - 2012
- Hon. John von Doussa AO: 2003–2008
- Professor Alice Tay AM: 1998–2003
- Sir Ronald Wilson AC QC: 1990–1998
- Hon. Justice Marcus Einfeld: 1986–1990
Commissioners:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner
- June Oscar AO 2017-2024
- Professor Gillian Triggs: 2016-2017 (Acting)
- Robynne Quiggin (Deputy Commissioner): 2016 - 2017
- Mr Mick Gooda: 2010-2016
- Mr Tom Calma: 2004–2010
- Dr William Jonas AM: 1999–2004
- Ms Zita Antonios: 1998–1999 (Acting)
- Mr Mick Dodson AM: 1993–1998
Age Discrimination Commissioner
- Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM: 2023-2024 (Acting)
- The Hon Dr Kay Patterson AO: 2016-2023
- The Hon Susan Ryan AO: 2011 - 2016
National Children's Commissioner
Disability Discrimination Commissioner
- Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM: 2023-2024 (Acting)
- Dr Ben Gauntlett: 2019-2023
- Mr Alastair McEwin: 2016 - 2019
- The Hon Susan Ryan AO: 2014 - 2016
- Mr Graeme Innes AM: 2005 - 2014
- Dr Sev Ozdowski OAM: 2000–2005 (Acting)
- Ms Susan Halliday: 1999 (Acting)
- Mr Chris Sidoti: 1998 (Acting)
- Ms Elizabeth Hastings: 1993–1997
Human Rights Commissioner
- Mr Edward Santow: 2016-2021
- Mr Tim Wilson: 2014-2016
- The Hon. Catherine Branson QC: 2009 - 2012
- Mr Graeme Innes AM: 2005–2009
- Dr Sev Ozdowski OAM: 2000–2005
- Mr Chris Sidoti: 1995–2000
- Mr Kevin O’Connor, AM: 1994-1995 (Acting)
- Mr Brian Burdekin AO: 1986–1994
Race Discrimination Commissioner
- Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM: 2023 - 2024 (Acting)
- Mr Chin Tan: 2018 - 2023
- Dr Tim Soutphommasane: 2013 - 2018
- Professor Gillian Triggs: 2013 (Acting)
- Dr Helen Szoke: 2011-2013
- Mr Graeme Innes AM: 2009–2011
- Mr Tom Calma: 2004–2009
- Dr William Jonas AM: 1999–2004 (Acting)
- Ms Zita Antonias: 1994–1999
- Ms Irene Moss AO: 1986–1994
Sex Discrimination Commissioner
- Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM: 2023 (Acting)
- Ms Kate Jenkins: 2016 - 2023
- Ms Elizabeth Broderick: 2007 - 2015
- The Hon. John von Doussa AO: 2007 (Acting)
- Ms Pru Goward: 2001–2007
- Ms Susan Halliday: 1998–2001
- Ms Moira Scollay: 1997–1998 (Acting)
- Ms Susan Walpole: 1993–1997
- Ms Quentin Bryce AC: 1988–1993
- Ms Pam O'Neill: 1984–1988
Commissioner responsible for Age Discrimination
- Ms Elizabeth Broderick: 2007-2011
- The Hon. John von Doussa AO: 2007 (Acting)
- Ms Pru Goward: 2005–2007
Privacy Commissioner
On 1 January 1989, the Privacy Act 1988 took effect, establishing the Privacy Commissioner within the Australian Human Rights Commission.
On 1st July 2000 a new Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC) was established by the federal Parliament. With the establishment of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) in 2010, this role was amalgamated into the new office. For further information visit the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner's website.
Privacy Commissioner
- Mr Kevin O’Connor, AM: 1989-1996
- Ms Moira Scollay 1997-1999
- Mr Malcolm Crompton 1999-2004
- Ms Karen Curtis 2004-2010
- Mr Timothy Pilgrim PSM 2010-2018
- Ms Angelene Falk 2018 -