On 1 December 2021, the Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon Jason Wood MP convened the thirteenth Ministerial meeting of the National Roundtable on Human Trafficking and Slavery.
The National Roundtable is the Australian Government's key mechanism for consultation with civil society and industry stakeholders on modern slavery issues. At this year's meeting of the National Roundtable, members discussed key items of interest and the implementation of the Government's National Action Plan to Combat Modern Slavery 2020-25.
At the National Roundtable, the Government noted its second annual report on implementation of the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth). This annual report showcases the Government's continued work to raise awareness of the Act, by driving compliance and better-practice amongst reporting entities, and through strengthened responses to modern slavery risks in supply chains.
The Australian Government released its second Commonwealth Modern Slavery Statement under the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth). The Statement outlines the Government's actions to assess and address modern slavery risks across global supply chains and operations of non-corporate Commonwealth entities.
The National Roundtable also noted the tenth report of the Interdepartmental Committee on Human Trafficking and Slavery. The report, titled Trafficking in Persons; the Australian Government Response 1 July 2017 - 30 June 2020 , highlights the important work of Australian Government agencies and their civil society partners to combat human trafficking and slavery in Australia and globally.
Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon Jason Wood, said that consultation between civil society and Government is key to ensuring the success of Australia's efforts to combat modern slavery.
"I am amazed by the tireless advocacy and commitment of all National Roundtable members to strengthen Australia's response to modern slavery.
I value the unique expertise that each member brings to this National Roundtable and value having strong advisory groups assisting the Government's work to combat these heinous crimes."
The next Ministerial meeting of the National Roundtable will take place in December 2022.
