Auspire welcomes new Race Discrimination Commissioner
Auspire welcomes Australia’s next Race Discrimination Commissioner, Mr Chin-Leong Tan, a former lawyer who has held a number of diversity-focused leadership roles over two decades. He commences in the role on Monday, and is replacing Mr Tim Soutphommasane, who finished up in June, leaving the role vacant for almost 3 months.
The incoming commissioner is a migrant from Malaysia, who came to Australia with his with his Chinese parents during the 1980’s. He is described as very different to the outgoing Commissioner, who ended his term fiercely attacking the resurgence of public debate using race-baiting tactics. Conversely, Mr Tan is on record to say he’ll be more reluctant to publicly call out racism.
Attorney-General, The Hon Christian Porter congratulated Mr Tan on his appointment. “Mr Tan is a well-known and recognised leader in the multicultural community and his story is like that of so many Australians who were born overseas and chose to make a new life in Australia,” he said in his statement on Friday.
Auspire CEO, Morgen Lewis said that Mr Tan has a solid reputation and outstanding career as a recognised leader in the Multicultural Community, particularly in Victoria.
“In our multicultural society, where one on every three Australians were born overseas, the role of Race Discrimination Commissioner is vital.” she said. “I am confident Mr Tan will make a valuable contribution to our community by representing all Australians and upholding our inclusive values”.