Human Rights Commissioner Tim Wilson to seek Liberal Goldstein seat preselection

EXCLUSIVE: HUMAN Rights Commissioner Tim Wilson will give up his $400,000 salary to seek preselection for the safe Liberal seat of Goldstein.

Australian Human Rights Commissioner Tim Wilson during a Senate Estimates hearing at Parliament House in Canberra, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) NO ARCHIVING

HUMAN Rights Commissioner Tim Wilson will give up his $400,000 salary to seek preselection for the safe Liberal seat of Goldstein, following the retirement of former Trade Minister Andrew Robb.

Mr Wilson, who was appointed by the Abbott Government to the lucrative Human Rights Commission job two years ago, will quit his post next Friday.

In a statement Mr Wilson, who was attacked by many on the Left of politics over his commitment to free speech, said it had been a privilege to meet thousands of people across the nation and to seek to make positive change for the community.

“This is a tough decision for me, but the right one,” he said.

“This is not a time to be timid. It’s a time to be bold. Our country faces big challenges: debt and deficits, high taxes and youth unemployment, to name a few.”

Mr Wilson, 35, who grew up in Melbourne, has been an active Liberal Party member for two decades.

“I’ve lived in Goldstein. I have served on the board of the local hospital. Much of my family lives in Goldstein,” he said.

“We need people in Parliament who are prepared to take responsibility, make tough decisions and work to fix problems. I am ready to take that responsibility to protect this nation’s promise for future generations. “

Mr Wilson is the first to declare his hand in the seat.

However Georgina Downer, a Director of Asialink Diplomacy, is also expected to make a run, as the South Australian’s father — former Howard Government Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer — has been making calls on her behalf in recent days.

Software developer and former antiques dealer Marcus Bastiaan, who has been active in the local Liberal circles, is also expected to throw his hat into the ring.

Goldstein takes in Brighton, Sandringham, Elsternwick and Bentleigh and is held by the Liberals with a margin of 11 per cent.

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