Bronwyn Bishop takes on Gillian Triggs - Women's Agenda

Bronwyn Bishop takes on Gillian Triggs

On Women’s Agenda, we don’t expect Human Rights Commissioner Professor Gillian Triggs to resign from her position any time soon. 

And it doesn’t matter how many times members of the Coalition government criticise her actions.

Last night on the ABC’s Q&A program, it was Parliamentary Speaker Bronwyn Bishop’s turn to have a go.

An interesting move, given one could argue Bishop too was being ‘political’ in her role as speaker, in echoing the sentiments of her Coalition colleagues in calling for an independent commissioner to step down.

Referring to a damning report Triggs released into children in detention, Bishop said it should have been released when the previous government was in power. “It has made you a very political figure. Therefore, you are subject to criticism,” Bishop said.

“You have to make the decision are you a statutory officer carrying out an obligation with the protection of that office or are you a political participant? If you do, you have to no longer be a statutory officer.”

Triggs responded that the public would demand her resignation if she was not critical of the government. She declared her position was not a political one, and that she works within the framework of the law, ensuring that their evidence is accurate and well-founded. “Unfortunately, of course, many of our findings and recommendations can be interpreted in political ways.”

Bishop’s criticism followed an intense personal attack on Triggs from Immigration Minister Peter Dutton and Attorney General George Brandis last week, when they issued a joint statement questioning her capacity to hold her position as commission president.

Following that attack, Triggs told ABC radio resigning is “the very reverse” of what she should be doing. “Were I to succumb to these highly personal responses to the work of the commission, that would undermine the independence of the commission.”

At a time when the Abbott Government is simply saying “no comment” to serious issues pertaining to asylum seeker policy — including allegations Australian officials have paid $30,000 to people smugglers to have them turn boats around — independent commissioners seems more important than ever.

Sure, it’s awkward and uncomfortable to see some of Australia’s lowest points on major national policies like “border security” laid bare for all to see, but it’s morally necessary.

Yes, it seem Triggs still isn’t budging.

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