George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

Professor Triggs, I am very sorry to say, has cost the Australian Human Rights Commission that reputation. Lastly, let me come to the first paragraph of the motion: that I failed to defend the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission from malicious attacks. I do not think there have been any malicious attacks on Professor Gillian Triggs. I have made three contributions on the public record on this topic: during an interview, on Sky Agenda on 1 February; in my statement to Senate estimates in response to Senator Wong's single question last Tuesday; and in an opinion article in The Australian last Friday. In every one of those three contributions, as well as in this contribution today, I have been very careful to say—as I repeat—I have a high personal regard for Professor Triggs. I am particularly conscious of and admire her reputation as an eminent international lawyer. But I think we all know from our own life experience that, just because a person might be a distinguished academic, it does not mean they necessarily have the skills to manage an agency of the executive government.

Senator Bilyk interjecting—