I can’t believe what I just saw with my own eyes. On ABC’s The Drum tonight, Human Rights Commissioner for Freedom Tim Wilson, parachuted into his $320,000 a year job by Attorney General George Brandis without even so much as an interview, was a panelist on a program that had nothing to do with human rights or freedom of speech, the latter being Wilson’s specific portfolio. Instead Wilson spruiked for the Abbott government and Tony Abbott, in a display of political partisanship that I’ve never seen before from a public servant.
Wilson resigned from the Liberal Party when he took up his new job with the HRC.
Questions.
Why was Wilson invited to be a panelist on The Drum when his area of expertise wasn’t on the agenda?
Why did Wilson accept the invitation when his area of expertise was not on the agenda?
Is Wilson exempt from the APSC Code of Conduct as regards taking care to avoid partisan positions?
Is it mere coincidence that Wilson appears on The Drum to support Abbott on the day the Prime Minister admits the government’s had a ragged week?
If it isn’t a coincidence, at whose insistence did host Steve Cannane invite Wilson on the panel when his only possible purpose for being there was to talk up the Abbott government?
Why was Wilson given a platform on the ABC to express his personal views as he clearly wasn’t representing the HRC or his portfolio?
What does Wilson’s boss Gillian Trigg think of his blatant public political partisanship?
I’d ask Wilson these questions myself but the Commissioner for Freedom blocked me on Twitter when I asked him how he would handle a situation in which there were competing rights.
No Place For Sheep 
No..its a bridge too far. Way too early in the day. Let me grab a bottle of prozac and or valium, first.
Nope. It’s clinched it.. back to bed, Doona Dive.
Not coming back till Jennifer makes teh stoopid go ‘way.
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I can’t make teh stoopid go ‘way PW. Hope you’ve got enough supplies to keep you alive while you wait!
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How many times do you see the panelists being stacked the other way
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That is so blatantly incorrect that you must know it. Why the false representation of a serious isssue?
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Are those other panelists public servants?
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I’d like to see a considered reply to each of those questions.
And then Tim Wilson’s resignation.
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FWIW, and trying to look on the bright side (fascists! Whoops, sorry, what was I saying?) I’m certain that The Drum doesn’t and will never swing elections. Let’s keep an eye on Mr Wilson’s movements around the commercial stations…well, can someone else do it for me? The thought of it makes me ill.
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I can only do it very infrequently but I’ll try.
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