Government rejects call to abandon Race Discrimination Commissioner job

Attorney-General Christian Porter has dismissed a call to leave the position of Race Discrimination Commissioner vacant.

Race Discrimination Commissioner Dr Tim Soutphommasane Source: AAP

Applicants are being considered to replace Tim Soutphommasane, whose five-year term is due to end in August.

But the Institute of Public Affairs is pushing for it to remain empty, saying the role focuses on racial differences.