Summarised by Centrist
Much to the delight of Family First’s Bob McCoskrie, the Human Rights Commission (HRC) is facing criticism after appointing Dr Stephen Rainbow as the Chief Human Rights Commissioner and Dr Melissa Derby as the new Race Relations Commissioner.
Rainbow, a gay man who has a history of supporting LGBT rights, has been accused of transphobia due to a past comment warning against elements of the “trans agenda.” He also faced backlash for his pro-Israel stance during the Gaza conflict, leading to criticism from media and activists alike.
Derby is known for her affiliation with the Free Speech Union and criticism of trans activist Shaneel Lal. Some, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark label them “ideologically extreme.”
While generally supportive of the new appointments, McCoskrie is highly critical of the HRC overall, calling it the “‘human rights for people we like’ commission.”
Citing the HRC’s admission in their report recommending banning conversion therapy, that they had “not given space” to any contradictory views in their $2.2m taxpayer-funded report, he argues: “They only want ‘human rights for those they agree with’.”
He concludes that “The Human Rights Commission has served no useful purpose. Despite some of the good statements coming from the new appointees, I’m not sure it’s any more relevant and any more needed. Let’s save some taxpayer dollars and get some nurses and teachers.”
