Queenslander Katie Kiss has been announced as the Australian Human Rights Commission’s (AHRC) new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner.
Katie is a Kaanju and Birri/Widi woman who grew up in Rockhampton, on the lands of the Darumbal People. She is currently the Executive Director of the Interim Truth and Treaty Body supporting Queensland’s Path to Treaty.
She will begin her role on 3 April, following the end of Commissioner June Oscar’s term.
Before her role at the Interim Truth and Treaty Body, Katie held senior positions in the Queensland Government, including Chief of Staff to the Minister for Seniors, Disability Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, and Senior Advisor to the Deputy Premier. She previously worked for eight years at the Australian Human Rights Commission, where she was the Director of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Team.
She was also the Director of Strategic Projects at the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples and was a Senior Manager at PwC’s Indigenous Consulting.
The incoming Commissioner has also served as a Board Member and Chamber Three Delegate of the National Congress, Board Member of Ngroo Education Inc., and participated at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
“At the heart of Ms Kiss’s impressive career is an unwavering commitment to promote and protect the rights of First Nations Peoples,” Commission President Rosalind Croucher said.
“She brings decades of experience in public policy and international human rights law, and has served First Nations communities, including her own, with high distinction.
“Her integrity, and the respect and trust she has garnered across Australia and globally will be hugely beneficial in this role.”
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