Jeswynn Yogaratnam is the Northern Territory’s newly appointed Anti-Discrimination Commissioner.
He replaces Sally Sievers whose tenure expired in January.
Mr Yogaratnam has over 15 years experience in international human rights law, as well as extensive experience in right-based policy development and research in the APAC region.
Mr Yogaratnam has been actively involved in law reform in the areas of human rights, criminal law, and climate change. He has been engaged in high level policy formulation in his work with the Global Buildings Performance Network at Monash University, and as a Principal Policy Officer with the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.
Having lived in the Northern Territory from 2008 – 2018 where he was the lead academic in international human rights law at Charles Darwin University, Mr Yogaratnam’s achievements in this role included:
co-creation of the Refugee Clinic Program with Harvard University;recipient of the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning (2014); and2009 winner of the Australasian Law Teachers Association Best Early Career Academic Paper Award.
Mr Yogaratnam has a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the University of London, and a Master of Laws from the University of Queensland.
Traci Keys will continue to act in the role of Anti-Discrimination Commissioner until Mr Yogaratnam commences on 7 August 2023.
Quotes attributable to Attorney General and Minister for Justice Chansey Paech:
“The Northern Territory’s Anti-Discrimination Commissioner has an important role in managing complaints, community engagement, and public education and training.
“Mr Yogaratnam is both familiar with the Northern Territory, and has the required qualifications, skills, and experience to be successful in this role.
“I welcome Mr Yogaratnam to the position and am positive about the focus he will bring to all areas of discrimination to deliver fairness, equality, and inclusion across the Northern Territory.”
Photo: NT Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Jeswynn Yogaratnam.
