Joy Liddicoat The Human Rights Commissioner who led the Transgender Inquiry has resigned to focus on her legal practice. Joy Liddicoat has been a commissioner since 2002. She says serving in public office is a privilege and she has been fortunate to have had the opportunity. Liddicoat initially had responsibility for issues of discrimination, harassment and violence, particularly women's safety. Other highlights of her responsibilities included the inaugural Human Rights Education Conference in 2004, the White Ribbon campaign, and working on Pacific regional human rights issues. In 2006 she led a pioneering inquiry into the discrimination experienced by transgender people. It is now recognised as a ground-breaking legal and human rights study. "The inquiry was only possible because of the courage of transgender people and those who support them. Now that the Commission is nearing the end of its own work on the inquiry I can move on knowing that the community has more confidence in their human rights, and in the Commission, than when I began," Liddicoat says. Chief Commissioner Rosslyn Noonan says the resignation is a real loss. "Joy has brought expertise, energy, and a complete commitment to quality governance at the Commission table." Liddicoat's resignation takes effect from 24 December.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Saturday, 13th November 2010 - 7:13pm