Tasmania will have a new Anti-Discrimination Commissioner in 2017 after incumbent Robin Banks announced she would not seek to extend her contract past January.
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Ms Banks, who has held the role since 2010, agreed to extend her five-year contract by 18 months in July last year with the aim of seeing out the draft plan of the Disability Justice Strategy.
She said it was time for someone else to bring “new ideas and new energy” to the role.
“Appointments like this don't belong to anybody,” Ms Banks said.
“There's a reason they're limited-term appointments and I think it is important that somebody new comes in and we get the opportunity to have somebody who will do it differently to how I've done it, just as I have done it differently to my predecessor.”
Ms Banks said she was pleased the role had been advertised well ahead of her last day in office.
“A smooth transition is what we're after.
“There was quite a long period with an Acting Commissioner before I came into the job and I think it’s really good to try and keep the impetus going with somebody who feels they have the authority to get on and do it.”
Ms Banks said reforming the complaints process, promoting inclusion within the education system and being involved with the Racism Stops With Me program were among her greatest achievements in the role.
She plans to continue to work in advocacy after finishing up in the role next year.
Ms Banks made headlines earlier this year when she claimed she had not been consulted about the state government's proposed alterations to the Anti-Discrimination Act.
