Senator Paul Scarr – Estimates questions regarding the Australian Human Rights Commission’s contract with Hue Consulting

Photo of Senator Paul Scarr
May 31, 2024

I would like to pursue some of the questions that were asked by Senator Faruqi in relation to the variation or termination of the contract with Hue. I know, Commissioner, your evidence was that you agreed with the approach that was taken with respect to, I’ll use the term ‘bringing that contractual arrangement to an end’; is that correct?

Senator SCARR: I would like to pursue some of the questions that were asked by Senator Faruqi in relation to the variation or termination of the contract with Hue. I know, Commissioner, your evidence was that you agreed with the approach that was taken with respect to, I’ll use the term ‘bringing that contractual arrangement to an end’; is that correct?

Mr Sivaraman: Senator, what is the question, exactly? I didn’t quite understand.

Senator SCARR: I understood your evidence in response to Senator Faruqi was that you agreed with the decision made by the commission to bring the contract with Hue to an end.

Mr Sivaraman: Yes.

Senator SCARR: What was the reason that you came to that view?

Mr Sivaraman: As I think I said to Senator Faruqi, one of the things that I need to do—I have been doing it, anyway, and I need to do it in terms of the Home Affairs funding—is engagement with all communities affected by the increase in racism since October. I didn’t want my ability to have the trust and faith of those communities to be compromised in any way. That was why I agreed with it.

Senator SCARR: Your concern was that, if that contractual arrangement had continued, in the context of comments that had been made by one of the principals, that may well have compromised your ability to discharge your functions in the commission’s obligation to discharge its function; is that correct?

Mr Sivaraman: I thought it might affect my ability to engage in consultations, yes.

Senator SCARR: President, do you have anything to add on that point?

Prof. Croucher: Commissioner Sivaraman has given an accurate recounting of the issues, and I support his evidence wholeheartedly.

Senator SCARR: So do I. I would like to table an article. You will find, Commissioner, when you attend estimates, that we take great interest in the articles published by commissioners. Commissioner Finlay has had the benefit of some feedback on her excellent article. I now table an article.

Prof. Croucher: If I may insert a comment at this stage, it is to urge this committee and, indeed, the wider public and the government to look at the contributions of our work as far more than just the occasional opinion piece or statement. Our body of work is very comprehensive. I want to add that comment into the mix. Given that it is my last estimates, indulge me on that one.

Senator SCARR: President, given that it is your last estimates, I will perhaps go to that point which you just made. I agree with that point. But do you realise the importance of articles such as this? Let me give you an example. Before we commenced this session, I did a Google search of the Australian Human Rights Commission website for the term ‘antisemitism’. During the previous estimates I referred, as you will remember, to the fact that, when I did that during the last estimates, the first thing that turned up was your speech given some years ago, and that was the subject of some questioning. But when I did it before this session, the first thing that now comes up is Commissioner Finlay’s article, which is very recent. Do you understand the significance of that?

Prof. Croucher: Indeed I do. I know we’re not supposed to comment and be asked for opinions, but I’ll venture that opinion.

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