Gillian Triggs: ‘Impartial’ Human Rights Commissioner will headline fundraiser for ex-Greens leader Bob Brown

UPDATE: Human Rights Commission president Gillian Triggs will forge ahead with a fundraiser for ex Greens leader Bob Brown’s foundation despite criticism it breaches the code of conduct for public service heads.

Australia’s Human Rights Commission chief Gillian Triggs.

HUMAN Rights Commission president Gillian Triggs will forge ahead with a fundraiser for ex Greens leader Bob Brown’s foundation despite criticism it breaches the code of conduct for public service heads.

Australian Press Council

NOTE: The Press Council has upheld a complaint in relation to this article. Read the full adjudication here.

The Daily Telegraph revealed today there were calls by senior members of the Turnbull Government for Professor Triggs to stand down as president if she refused to withdraw from the politically-aligned event.

Professor Triggs, who is supposed to be apolitical, will be the star attraction at a $50-a-head dinner for Brown’s radical environmental foundation, delivering a speech titled “Fighting for our rights — a fair go Australia”.

Brown today confirmed Triggs will still headline the March 30 event.

Former Greens leader Bob Brown.

“Gillian Triggs will give Hobart Oration, despite Telegraph attempts to shut down her speech to Tas audience,” he said on Twitter.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has demanded Prof Triggs pull out of the fundraiser or step aside as commission president.

“Gillian Triggs has done enough damage to the office already,” Mr Dutton told The Daily Telegraph.

Sharri Markson: Gillian Triggs has revealed her true colour ... and it’s green

“Surely for the sake of the people she purports to represent she should announce her candidacy for the Greens or step aside from the position.”

Prof Triggs claims the dinner is not a political event. Yet, the Bob Brown Foundation is heavily engaged in political activism.

Professor Gillian Triggs.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton.

Mr Brown was arrested last year during an anti-logging protest and the foundation regularly sends out press releases advocating its pro-forestry and anti-mining stance.

Professor Triggs will still headline the event.

Prof Triggs defended her ­decision to speak at the foundation and said it is a “charity” not a political organisation.

“I have been assured by the organisers that the event is not a fundraiser,” she said.

“The income from tickets will be used to cover the costs and any surplus will be donated to charity.

“It is not a political event, but an annual Hobart oration. I am not being paid an appearance fee and my travel and accommodation costs are being covered by the organisers.”

Her appearance at the event, tied to the Greens party, could breach the Public Service Values and Code of Conduct for employees and agency heads, which states: “The Australian Public Service is apolitical, performing its functions in an ­impartial and professional ­manner.”

Prof Triggs’ tenure at the Human Rights Commission has been embroiled in controversy. She was criticised for allowing the commission to investigate complaints under section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act against cartoonist Bill Leak.