2015年2月27日星期五

澳洲人權專員公署的風波

上次寫使澳洲人蒙羞的總理一文,提到總理Tony Abbott猛烈抨擊澳洲人權專員公署(Australian Human Rights Commission),因為該署撰寫報告批評澳洲政府羈押難民兒童方法不人道。這件事繼續發酵。

先交待一下澳洲的人權狀況。澳洲並沒有訂定人權法,只有人權專員公署條例、年齡歧視條例、傷殘歧視條例、種族歧視條例及性别歧視條例。公署設有主席一職,其下設有7個專員(Commissioners),分别掌管原住民、年齡及傷殘、兒童、人權、種族、性別(等歧視)、私隱等7大範疇。主席一職由 Professor Gillian Triggs擔任。Prof. Triggs 原本是悉尼大學法律學院院長,自2012年起被委任主席一職,便放棄了教學。

政府對Prof Triggs撰寫的報告不滿,除了公開批評外,還打算取消對她的任命。意圖取消任命卻不敢名正言順,而是暗中抹黑,並刻意對傳媒放出風聲,説教授有意另謀高就,其實政府視她為眼中釘,要逼她走。看下Sydney Morning Herald今天的報導:

The row between the President of the Human Rights Commission, Gillian Triggs, and the federal government has escalated, with Professor Triggs flatly denying she ever canvassed her possible resignation with other members of the commission.

In a statement to Fairfax Media on Friday, Professor Triggs said: "I deny any suggestion that I canvassed my future with other members of the commission at any time."
................

She continued: "It is ludicrous to suggest that I would have sought an alternative job when I am robustly refusing to resign. I have always intended to complete my full term as president of the Australian Human Rights Commission".

政府若然要確定教授是否想轉職,有甚麼好過直接面談,紀錄內容,而不是這種鬼鬼祟祟的手段,想做出既定事實,除去眼中釘。教授公然抗拒,剛正不卑,很合我脾胃。我就喜歡這種人。大是大非,原則立場寸步不讓,就算要付出代價,也無畏無懼,我最討厭婆婆媽媽,油嘴滑舌,甚麽人也不敢得罪的人。

總理地位危矣,黨內要推倒他的人,藉著這件事的發酵,又可以凝聚更多力量,時機越來越成熟了,黨內對手Malcolm Turnbull四兩撥千斤,乘機講救救孩子,不單只跟總理口徑不同,還暗諷總理不仁。看下這傳媒報導。

Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has directly contradicted Prime Minister Tony Abbott's scathing critique of Australian Human Rights Commission president Gillian Triggs, heaping praise on the embattled professor and stressing the importance of getting children out of detention.

In question time on Tuesday, Mr Abbott said the government had lost confidence in Professor Triggs, declaring her report on children in detention a "stitch up".

But Mr Turnbull declined to echo the critique of Professor Triggs by Mr Abbott and other Coalition ministers on Wednesday, instead saying the "debate about Gillian Triggs misses the main point ... the main point is the children. Children in detention is something nobody wants". (SMH Feb 25)


換了是發生在香港,這種事肯定又上街,又報案,又質詢,又行使權力及特權法,蕃茄雞蛋扔滿地。在澳洲,罵了幾句,又忘記了。在這裏從政,逍遙自在,羡慕死香港的官員政客。



4 則留言:

  1. 如此愚蠢丶手段低的人是怎樣可以上位?

    標標會否今個月回港? 到facebook談吧

    劍文弟

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    1. 另外我想知道其實聯邦政府有沒有權力罷免公署主席? 公署的運作多獨立?

      劍文弟

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    2. I will return on March 13 and stay for 3 weeks. I am not sure if the Federal Govt can remove the President without a good cause. I am not familiar with the Australia politics and its mechanism.

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    3. According to S.41, Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986, the appointment can be terminated for the following reasons:

      41 Termination of appointment
      (1) The Governor‑General may terminate the appointment of a member by reason of misbehaviour or physical or mental incapacity.

      (2) If:
      (a) a member becomes bankrupt, applies to take the benefit of any law for the relief of bankrupt or insolvent debtors, compounds with creditors or makes an assignment of remuneration for their benefit;
      (b) a full‑time member engages, except with the approval of the Minister, in paid employment outside the duties of the office of member;
      (c) a full‑time member is absent from duty, except on leave of absence, for 14 consecutive days, or for 28 days in any period of 12 months;
      (d) a part‑time member is absent, except on leave granted by the Minister in accordance with subsection 39(2), from 3 consecutive meetings of the Commission; or
      (e) a member fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with section 29 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (which deals with the duty to disclose interests) or rules made for the purposes of that section;
      the Governor‑General shall terminate the appointment of that member.


      In the instant case, I see no reason why Prof Triggs' appointment can be terminated. That is why the Govt could only try to remove her by smear campaign and push her to resign.

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