Gillian Triggs will be in conversation with Skye Saunders about Gillian's new book, Speaking Up. As President of the Human Rights Commission, Gillian Triggs advocated for the disempowered, the disenfranchised, and the marginalised. She withstood relentless political pressure and media scrutiny as she defended the defenceless for five tumultuous years. How did this aspiring ballet dancer, dignified daughter of a tank commander and eminent law academic respond when appreciative passengers on a full airplane departing Canberra greeted her with a round of applause?

Speaking Up shares with readers the values that have guided Triggs' convictions and the causes she has championed. She dares women to be a little vulgar and men to move beyond their comfort zones to achieve equity for all. And she will not rest until Australia has a Bill of Rights. Triggs' passionate memoir is an irresistible call to everyone who yearns for a fairer world.

"Being a human rights defender is always tough. Gillian Triggs has been fearless in standing up for the voiceless. An articulate and inspirational role model". Dame Quentin Bryce.

Professor Gillian Triggs served as President of the Australian Human Rights Commission from 2012 to 2017. She has held many significant academic positions, including Director of the British Institute for International and Comparative Law and Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Sydney. She is currently a Vice-Chancellor's Fellow at the University of Melbourne and Chair of Justice Connect.

Skye Saunders is Associate Professor in Law at the Australian National University and Vice President of the YWCA Canberra. Skye, author of Whispers from the Bush- the Workplace Sexual Harassment of Australian Rural Women, is currently researching for her new book project, 'Defying Gravity- Rising above Sex Discrimination in the Workplace'. In 2017, Skye was awarded the University of Canberra Chancellor's Distinguished Young Alumni Award.

The vote of thanks will be given by Associate Professor Vivien Holmes.  Vivien is Associate Dean (Education) for the ANU College of Law and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Vivien teaches and researches in the fields of legal ethics, legal education and the legal profession.

Register for this event.

Pre-event book signing will be available from 6 pm and again after the event. This event is in association with Dymocks Canberra and books will be available to purchase.