24 April 2001
PETER NUGENT
Professor Alice Tay, current and former Commissioners, and staff of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission were shocked and saddened to hear today of the sudden death of Mr Peter Nugent.
Peter Nugent, the Liberal member for Aston in Victoria, was a tireless advocate for human rights and a friend of the Commission.
As chairman of the Human Rights Subcommittee of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade parliamentary committee, a member of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation from 1991 to 1997 and Chairman of the Amnesty International Parliamentary Group since 1996, he continually spoke out on behalf of the disadvantaged and vulnerable.
Peter's history of support for the Commission spanned several years and included his support for the Bringing them Home report, opposition to mandatory sentencing and promotion of the ideals of human rights throughout the region, especially in China.
Most recently, Peter was a judge for the Commission's 2000 Human Rights Medal.
Peter has been one of the unstinting champions of human rights in Australia. Few in Parliament have had his passionate commitment to justice for Indigenous people and for advancing Australia's leadership of human rights in the world, particularly the Asian region. He provided leadership on these issues with great courage and at great personal cost. He will be very sorely missed.
Statement from:
Professor Alice Tay, President
Dr Bill Jonas, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner and acting Race Discrimination Commissioner
Dr Sev Ozdowski, Human Rights Commissioner and acting Disability Discrimination Commissioner
Susan Halliday, Sex Discrimination Commissioner
Chris Sidoti, former Human Rights Commissioner
For further information contact: Margie Cook (02) 9284 9677/ 0418 637 230 or Janine MacDonald (02) 9284 9880/ 0412 783 631.
Last updated 2 December 2001.
