2 | President’s Message : The Year in Review Rosemary Kayess, Giridharan Sivaraman and Dr Anna Cody who bring a wealth of expertise and energy to their roles. I thank the Commission staff, led capably by our Chief Executive Leanne Smith, and the partners who we have worked alongside, who have enabled the human rights progress outlined in this report. Human rights are the blueprint for a decent, dignified life for all. Human rights are the key to creating the kind of society we all want to live in. I am looking forward to working over my five year term to help realise the Commission’s vision of an Australian society where human rights are respected, promoted and protected and where every person is free and equal in dignity and rights. Hugh de Kretser President Finalists for the 2023 Australian Human Rights Awards, and Chief Executive Leanne Smith (second from left at front, and President Rosalind Croucher AM fourth from left at front). 8