Tim Wilson (Australian Politician)
Timothy Robert "Tim" Wilson (born 12 March 1980) is the Liberal candidate for the Division of Goldstein in the Australian House of Representatives at the 2016 election.[1]
He was a public policy analyst and a commentator who was the Australian Human Rights Commissioner from 2014 until his resignation in 2016.[2][3][4] He was a policy director of the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA) for seven years. On appointment to the Human Rights Commission, Wilson resigned his party membership of the Liberals.[5]
Political views and career
Wilson has a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters of Diplomacy and Trade from Monash University.[6]
In 2008, Wilson, then a Liberal Party member, ran for the position of Deputy Mayor of the City of Melbourne beside Peter McMullin, a former Labor Mayor of Geelong.[7] Allegations of threats and bullying marred the campaign.[8]
Wilson is openly gay, an advocate for same-sex marriage,[7][9] and was initially a supporter of the Safe Schools Coalition Australia,[10] but later expressed reservations about aspects of the programme, particularly the age appropriateness of some aspects that later became controversial.
Institute of Public Affairs
Tim Wilson worked at the IPA for seven years, serving as Director of Climate Change Policy and the Intellectual Property and Free Trade.[11] During this time, he argued against plain packaging[12] and to vote No for the proposed local government referendum.[13] He was a vocal critic of the Human Rights Commission[14] and during his time there the IPA called for the abolition of the commission.[15]
Australian Human Rights Commissioner
Tim Wilson was appointed Australia's Human Rights Commissioner in February 2014.[2][16] He has argued for changes to Section 18C of the 1975 Racial Discrimination Act, calling the prosecution of broadcaster Andrew Bolt for vilification of indigenous Australians an infringement on Bolt's right to freedom of speech.[17] Wilson announced his resignation from the position, effective 19 February 2016, intending to stand for parliament.[18]
Candidacy for the Division of Goldstein
On 19 March, Wilson was preselected as the Liberal candidate for the safe Division of Goldstein in the Australian House of Representatives at the 2016 election.[1]
References
- 1 2 "Tim Wilson wins Liberal preselection in seat of Goldstein". The Australian. 19 March 2016. Retrieved 2016-03-19.
- 1 2 "Human Rights Commissioner, Mr Tim Wilson". humanrights.gov.au.
- ↑ Christian Kerr: "Tim Wilson to head freedom campaign as human rights commissioner", in The Australian, 17 December 2013
- ↑ Tim Wilson: "Statement of Resignation", 15 February 2016
- ↑ "Tim Wilson, former policy director of Institute of Public Affairs, appointed Human Rights Commissioner". ABC. 17 December 2013. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
- ↑ IPA: "Tim Wilson", retrieved 20 December 2013
- 1 2 Noonan, Andie (22 October 2008). "Wilson to run for deputy". Star Observer. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
- ↑ http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/bullying-claim-as-election-looms/story-e6frf7kx-1111118170207
- ↑ Tim Elliott (22 Feb 2014). "Tim Wilson: Freedom fighter". Sydney Morning Herald.
- ↑ "Messages of Support". Safe Schools Coalition Australia. Retrieved 2016-03-19.
- ↑ "IPA: Tim Wilson"
- ↑ ABC:"Smoking out the spin"
- ↑ "IPA Video on Local Government Referendum"
- ↑ Youtube:"Tim Wilson condemns human rights commissioner for failing to defend free speech"
- ↑ IPA: "Australian Human Rights Commission should be abolished"
- ↑ Brandis: "Appointment of Mr Timothy Wilson as Human Rights Commissioner"
- ↑ Tony Wright and Dan Harrison "Tim Wilson appointment to Human Rights Commission stirs controversy", in The Sydney Morning Herald, 18 December 2013
- ↑ Hurst, Daniel (15 February 2016). "Tim Wilson resigns to seek Liberal preselection for seat of Goldstein". The Guardian. Retrieved 2016-02-15.
External links
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