Respected human rights advocate Ro Allen will be appointed the next Commissioner of the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC).
Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes today congratulated Ro on their appointment, who has already made a significant contribution toward advancing equal opportunity and human rights over the past two decades.
Ro is currently serving a sixth year as Victoria's Commissioner for LGBTIQ+ Communities and brings an impressive record of leading work in family violence prevention, anti-vilification reviews, LGBTIQ+ rights, improved access to education and skills, Indigenous affairs, and mental health reform.
Ro has served as a member of the Chief Magistrate's Family Violence Taskforce, the Victorian Government Family Violence Working Party, the Victorian Skills Commission, the AFL Vilification Rule 35 Review Committee, the Victorian Adult and Community Further Education Board, and the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria.
Ro will replace current Commissioner Kristen Hilton, who has made an invaluable difference to many Victorians' lives during her time at VEOHRC.
Commissioner Hilton has overseen important milestones including the introduction of Victoria's first gender equality legislation, the establishment of a redress scheme for survivors of the stolen generation and the safeguarding of human rights throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Quotes attributable Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes
"Ro brings a strong track record in advancing the rights and equal treatment of the LGBTIQ+ communities, victim-survivors of family violence, young people, rural communities and Aboriginal people."
"I look forward to working with Ro to make Victoria a fairer, safer and more inclusive community."
"I'd like to thank Commissioner Hilton for her tireless efforts to help more people live a life free from discrimination, harassment and vilification."
As stated by VEOHRC Board Chair Moana Weir
"The board looks forward to welcoming Ro as our new Commissioner from 1 June."
"We wish to also thank and acknowledge our outgoing Commissioner Kristen Hilton, for her invaluable contribution and leadership of the Commission over the past five years. On behalf of the commission team and the board, we wish Kristen all the very best for the future."
As stated by incoming VEOHRC Commissioner Ro Allen
"I'm proud to join a long line of Human Rights Commissioners in Victoria and continue to build on their extraordinary legacy."
