Robert Fitzgerald AM has been appointed to the Human Rights Commission as Age Discrimination Commissioner for a five-year term.
Mr Fitzgerald, who has been in the role of NSW Ageing and Disability Commissioner for five years, will take up his new role tackling barriers to equality and participation caused by age discrimination on 2 April 2024.
Mr Fitzgerald has had a long and distinguished career as a lawyer and in the social services. He previously held the roles of Australian Productivity Commissioner, NSW Community and Disability Services Commissioner, and Deputy Ombudsman. He also served as a Commissioner on the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, was Chair of the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission Advisory Board, and has served on NGO boards for more than 40 years, including for The Benevolent Society, St Vincent de Paul Society, Caritas Australia, and Social Ventures Australia. He is a former President of the Australian Council of Social Services.
"Mr Fitzgerald has dedicated his life to serving the community and his direct, recent experience fighting for the rights of older Australians will be a great asset to the Australian Human Rights Commission," said the Attorney-General The Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP (pictured left) on announcing the appointment.
"The Age Discrimination Commissioner leads the Commission’s work addressing barriers to equality and participation caused by age discrimination and protecting older Australians from discrimination on the basis of age in employment, education, accommodation and the provision of goods and services."
"As a highly respected lawyer, human rights and social justice advocate, and a leading figure in the anti-discrimination space who has held several significant Commissioner positions, he is the perfect person to take on this role to help advance the rights of older people," said Australian Human Rights Commission President Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM (pictured right).
"This important role will allow me to continue to promote the rights of all people to live free from discrimination based on age across Australia and internationally," said Mr Fitzgerald in a statement.
Mr Fitzgerald has big shoes to fill. He replaces The Hon Dr Kay Patterson AO, who held the position from 2016 until July 2023. The Hon Susan Ryan AO held the role between 2011 and 2016.
