ABC Online... Gillian Triggs: Malcolm Turnbull defends Human Rights Commission president as 'distinguished academic', says criticism 'misses the point'
Map: Australia
Coalition frontbencher Malcolm Turnbull has described Human Rights Commissioner Gillian Triggs as a "distinguished academic" and says the recent criticism of her "misses the point".
Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Attorney-General George Brandis criticised Professor Triggs after the Commission published a damning report on children in immigration detention that they described as "a blatantly partisan, politicised exercise".
Senator Brandis yesterday confirmed he had asked for Professor Triggs' resignation, while Mr Abbott admitted in Parliament that the Government had "lost confidence" in in her.
But Mr Turnbull said the focus should on the welfare of the children concerned, not on personalities.
"I'm not going to buy into this discussion about Gillian Triggs... she's a very distinguished legal academic," he said.
"I knew her when she was the dean of law at Sydney University.
"The issue is not Gillian Triggs or personalities or arguments about the Human Rights Commission.
"The issue is the children."
In Tuesday morning's Senate estimates, Senator Brandis said he had lost confidence in Professor Triggs in mid January and wanted her to resign, saying the commission "has to be like Caesar's wife" and "beyond blemish".
"It saddens me to say that because as Professor Triggs herself has said, our relationship has never been anything other than cordial," he said.
He confirmed he "hoped Professor Triggs could be encouraged or would be willing to serve the Government in other capacities".
Mr Abbott said it was "absolutely crystal clear this inquiry by the president of the Human Rights Commission is a political stitch-up".
The Federal Opposition last night asked the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to investigate if the offer of other work for Professor Triggs was an inducement to resign and could constitute corrupt and unlawful conduct.
Professor Triggs revealed on Tuesday during a Senate estimates hearing that Senator Brandis's department asked her to resign during a meeting on February 3.
Photo: Malcolm Turnbull has described HRC president Gillian Triggs as a "distinguished academic", despite the Prime Minister's earlier comments. (AAP: Alan Porritt)
