Latest News About Hugh De Kretser

Updated 2026-04-29 09:04

Here’s the latest I can share about Hugh de Kretser based on recent public reporting:

He was named president of the Australian Human Rights Commission, with his five-year term commencing on 30 July 2024. This followed his prior role as CEO of the Yoorrook Justice Commission in Victoria.[1][2]
His leadership focuses on advancing human rights in Australia, including refugee protection, First Nations issues, and broader civil liberties, drawing on his background with the Human Rights Law Centre and various Victorian reform bodies.[3][1]
Public appearances and statements since taking the presidency highlight ongoing engagement with civil society, philanthropy, and multi-sector collaboration to strengthen rights-based policy responses in Australia.[5][9]

If you’d like, I can narrow this to a specific topic (e.g., refugee rights, First Nations justice, or recent speeches) or pull up more recent news from particular outlets.

Sources

Hugh de Kretser: 'When human rights are respected, our ...

The President of the Australian Human Rights Commission shares how he's seen philanthropy become more confident in backing advocacy and how important the impact has been. Hugh spoke at the Philanthropy Leadership Summit 2025 and says human rights principles provide a framework for navigating the polycrisis, societal polarisation and rise in racial tensions we're seeing in Australia.

www.philanthropy.org.au

Yoorrook Justice Commission CEO is new Human Rights Commission president

Hugh de Kretser commences his five-year term at the helm in July

www.thelawyermag.com

Speeches, statements and articles by Hugh de Kretser

Read the latest speeches, statements and articles by Commission President Hugh de Kretser.

humanrights.gov.au

Hugh de Kretser - The Wheeler Centre

Hugh de Kretser is the Executive Director of the Human Rights Law Centre. He has worked on family violence, sexual assault and criminal justice issues for over a decade across his current role and previously as Executive Officer of the Victorian Federation of Community Legal Centres (2007–2013) and Manager of the Brimbank Melton Community Legal Centre (2004–2007). Hugh is a Director of the Victorian Sentencing Advisory Council and was a Commissioner of the Victorian Law Reform Commission from...