New role to tackle race discrimination
FORMER Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner Dr Helen Szoke (pictured) has been appointed as Australia’s first full-time Race Discrimination Commissioner.
FORMER Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner Dr Helen Szoke (pictured) has been appointed as Australia’s first full-time Race Discrimination Commissioner.
The position had previously been a shared portfolio, with the holder also responsible for disability discrimination.
The move has been welcomed by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ). Executive director Peter Wertheim said the double role meant the holder was “loaded up with other responsibilities. This sometimes prevented him from carrying out the full range of race relations duties specified by the Racial Discrimination Act”.
“The ECAJ made a submission to that effect to the Attorney-General in July 2010,” Wertheim said. “Sadly, the amount of work demanded of the race relations commissioner is becoming greater and the Government is to be commended for accepting the case for a return to a stand-alone race relations commissioner.”
The sentiment was echoed by current Disability and Race Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes, who acknowledged the need “to protect small and large communities by working towards challenging racism and the development of a strong national anti-racism strategy”.
“We need to recognise Australia as a multicultural society and encourage all Australians to embrace the diversity,” Innes said.
Dr Szoke, who has been with the Victorian commission since 2004, is due to take on her new role next month. In a letter to the Attorney General, Werthiem hailed her “distinguished record of service”.
LIVIA ALBECK-RIPKA
Dr Helen Szoke
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