National Human Trafficking and Slavery Roundtable
24 August 2018
The Law Council participated in the 10th anniversary National Roundtable on Human Trafficking and Slavery in Canberra last week.
The roundtable, held by the Australian Government, brings together representatives from government agencies and experts from civil society organisations and industry bodies to drive law and policy reforms in relation to Australia’s response to human trafficking and slavery.
The Law Council had a seat at the roundtable where Business and Human Rights committee member, Vanessa Zimmerman, provided an update on the launch of the Justice Project that includes a chapter on people who have been trafficked and exploited.
Ms Zimmerman also provided the roundtable with the Law Council’s views to include compensation for victims of modern slavery.
A key issue discussed by participants at the Roundtable included the Australian Government’s Modern Slavery Bill. On 28 June 2018, the government introduced legislation to establish a Modern Slavery Reporting Requirement.
This will require more than 3,000 large businesses to publish annual statements on their actions to address modern slavery in their supply chains and operations – which the Law Council has previously expressed views on.
More information about Australia’s efforts to combat modern slavery is available here. There is also more information about the roundtable and the measures the government has introduced here.
Last Updated on 19/10/2018