Mr. Nick Kaldas
Chairperson - Mr Nick Kaldas A.P.M., D.Litt (honoris causa)
Mr Nick Kaldas is the Chair of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicides (Australia).
Most recently, Mr Kaldas served as Director of Oversight for the United Nations Relief and Works agency, operating in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Gaza and the West Bank.
He has held the position of Chief of Investigations at the United Nations/Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons Joint Investigative Mechanism into the use of chemical weapons in Syria and at the United Nations Special Tribunal for Lebanon. Prior to this, he was the Deputy Chief Police Adviser with the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq.
In addition to his international career, Mr Kaldas served 35 years in the NSW Police Force, the last 10 years as Deputy Commissioner. For some 15 years, Nick led the NSW Police Force’s multicultural engagement policies and programs as the organisational spokesperson or sponsor for all related issues. Mr Kaldas holds a Master in Public Policy and Administration from Charles Sturt University and an honorary doctorate from Western Sydney University. He has received numerous awards, including the Australian Police Medal, the National Medal and the Overseas Humanitarian Service Medal.
During his 35-year tenure with the NSW Police Force, Mr Kaldas led the organization's multicultural engagement initiatives for approximately 15 years. In this capacity, he acted as the spokesperson for all related issues, fostering strong relationships between the police and diverse communities. His efforts were aimed at building trust and ensuring effective communication with various cultural groups, which is essential in addressing the unique challenges faced by refugees and asylum seekers within the community.
In his role as Chairperson of the Advisory Board for Multicultural NSW, Mr Kaldas continues to champion multicultural issues and engagement. The agency aims to promote community harmony and social cohesion in one of the most culturally diverse states in the world. Through this position, he influences policies and programs that support the integration and well-being of refugees and asylum seekers, ensuring that their needs are considered in the broader context of multicultural affairs.