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Hall of Fame: Interview with Anna Forsyth

Interview by Penny Dodds

Anna Forsyth is a Legal Officer with the Human Rights Unit at the Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission

As a legal officer with the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission who do you work with?

I work in a team of four lawyers in the Human Rights Unit at the Commission. I spend a great deal of time assisting state government departments, local councils and other organisations like the Ombudsman Victoria, Privacy Commissioner and Health Services Commissioner understand their human rights obligations. I also work with community sector advocates, academics and other human rights experts.

Who inspires you?

Lisa Young – she is a wonderful vocalist and a great friend. Her album, ‘Grace’, won the Bell Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album in 2007. Lisa has studied Indian vocal percussion and listening to her amazing voice backed by drums, double-bass and guitar is a life-changing experience!

It must feel good to help people in desperate situations, how have you helped?

The majority of my work at the Commission is at a systemic level – working with government and the community to improve understanding and respect for human rights. However, my colleagues who work on the advice-line at the Commission deal with issues of discrimination facing members of the community on a daily basis. They help people who have experienced discrimination to understand their rights and how to enforce them. It is frightening how many people still experience unfair treatment in the workplace or in accessing services after more than 30 years of anti-discrimination law in Australia!

What’s all the fuss about the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities; can it help to change the law?

The Charter is an agreed set of human rights and responsibilities protected by law. Government departments and public bodies must now observe the civil and political rights contained in the Charter, such as the right to equality, freedom of movement, freedom of expression and the protection of families and children. This means that in making new policies and laws, government must take into account human rights so that members of the community are not treated unfairly.

If people want legal help to pursue their medical or service provision needs what should they do?

If people are having trouble pursuing their medical or service provision needs, it is always useful to talk through the issues with a body like the Health Services Commissioner or Ombudsman Victoria. Where someone feels that they have been discriminated against, for example due to their genetic condition, they might also like to contact the Commission itself – our equal opportunity and anti-discrimination staff is able to assist with resolving such issues.

What legal services or resources would you recommend?

If people are interested in finding out more about human rights and equal opportunity, I recommend visiting the Commission’s website at www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au. It might also be possible for those interested to attend one of our training sessions at the Commission. These are a great way of understanding your rights and how the law impacts on your everyday lives. The Commission’s January-June 2009 training calendar has just been released and it offers a range of different sessions – all of them are interactive and work through hypothetical case studies to assist with learning.

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?

I would like to see everyone slow down just a little – have more time to help a colleague, visit a family member or cook lunch for a friend. We often set such a crazy pace for ourselves that there is little time for the things that really count!

For more information on anything you’ve read here, please contact Penny or Leah in the GSNV office on (03) 8341-6315.