NATIONAL: Archbishop saved nanny from slavery: Human Trafficking Inquiry hears

29 Mar 2017

By The Record

Pope Francis greets Archbishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney after a Mass in June 29. The Sydney Archbishop has this week told a New South Wales Parliamentary Inquiry about how he saved a South American nanny from slavery. Photo: CNS/Paul Haring

With AAP

Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher has this week told a New South Wales Parliamentary Inquiry about how he saved a South American nanny from slavery.

The South American woman had been searching for a new life while working for a family in an affluent Sydney suburb, but instead found herself trapped as a modern-day slave.

She had her passport confiscated and wasn’t allowed outside for recreation. She wasn’t paid either.

When she reached out to a neighbour seeking help to escape, the nanny was handed back to her captors.

Her breakthrough came when she was allowed to attend church one day.

She reached out to then Watsons Bay Parish Priest Fr Anthony Fisher. He’s now the Catholic Archbishop of Sydney.

Archbishop Fisher helped the woman escape after contacting police and the church’s welfare agency.

That was 10 years ago.

Archbishop Fisher on Tuesday told a NSW parliamentary inquiry that slavery was too often considered a non-issue in Australia.

“This isn’t just a theory … something we’ve seen overseas,” he said.

“I, like many people, thought until recently slavery was abolished in the days of William Wilberforce, or it’s something far away from here.”

Inquiry Committee Chair, Hon Paul Green MLC said human trafficking is a horrendous crime that exploits women, children and men for numerous purposes, including slavery, forced labour and sex.

“The inquiry was established to investigate the prevalence of human trafficking in NSW as well as the role and effectiveness of NSW law enforcement agencies, legislation and policies in responding to this issue,” Hon Green said.

“The committee will also consider practical measures and policies to address human trafficking, including security measures to protect identity documentation,” he said.

The committee will hold further public hearings in May and will report by September

Further information about the inquiry, including Monday’s hearing schedule, terms of reference and submissions are available on the committee’s website: www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/humantrafficking.