New chief for human rights watchdog

Traditionally, when a government announces a high-level appointment it takes the opportunity to thank whoever is being replaced.

Not so for Gillian Triggs, the outgoing Australian Human Rights Commission president.

In announcing Rosalind Croucher as her replacement on Tuesday, Attorney-General George Brandis made no mention of Ms Triggs.

Her five years leading the human rights watchdog was dogged by controversy over issues such as the treatment of asylum seekers and the right to free speech.

Professor Croucher, who is president of the Australian Law Reform Commission, comes to the role with a distinguished academic and legal career.

Labor shadow attorney-general Mark Dreyfus hopes Professor Croucher will not be made to face the same "ideological warfare" her predecessor had to deal with.

"It is time for this to stop, and allow Professor Croucher to do her job," he said.

Right-wing think tank the Institute of Public Affairs was unimpressed with Professor Croucher's appointment calling her "Triggs-lite".

"If the government will not appoint people to the commission that will defend individual liberties such as freedom of speech, then it should be abolished," spokesman Morgan Begg said.