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VLA to host Human Rights Charter forum

Date : 05 Feb 2008

As part of Law Week, Victoria Legal Aid will be hosting a forum at its Lionel Murphy Centre, inspired by the words of Lionel Murphy.

In 1973 when Senator Murphy introduced the first Human Rights Bill into the Federal Parliament he said, ‘Although we believe these rights to be basic to our democratic society, they now receive remarkably little legal protection in Australia.’

Lionel Murphy's federal Human Rights Bill failed, but in 2006 the Victorian Parliament enacted the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act and this year Victoria’s Human Rights Charter came in to full operation.

About the forum

How can the Charter reach out to protect the rights of disadvantaged Victorians?

This question will be discussed by a panel of leading figures from the state’s legal sector.

Chair

Robyn Mills, Human Rights and Civil Law manager - Victoria Legal Aid

Guest speakers

Chris Thwaites, Manager of the Investigation and Conciliation Unit
Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission
Providing an overview of the Charter

Claire McNamara, Advocate Guardian and Legal Officer for the Office of the Public Advocate
Speaking about how the Charter can be used to assist people with disabilities

Liz Curran, Lecturer La Trobe University
Expert on access to justice, juvenile justice and human rights

Diane Sisley, Professor at RMIT University
Expert on women's rights

Helen Szoke, Chief executive of the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission
Speaking about the impact of the Charter on indigenous communities

Venue: The Lionel Murphy Centre, 360 Queen St, Melbourne
Date: Thursday 15 May
Time: 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm
RSVP: Thursday, 8 May – (03) 9269 0562 or email juliead@vla.vic.gov.au