Leader of the Government in the Senate
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Senator the Hon Penny Wong
Attorney-General
Cabinet Secretary
The Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP
Joint media release
The Australian Government has today outlined its next steps for tackling modern slavery in its response to the statutory review of the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth).
The Albanese Government has acted to bolster our efforts to counter human trafficking and all forms of modern slavery, working with partners at home and abroad to disrupt these global crimes and enhance support for victims and survivors.
Modern slavery deprives victims of their dignity, fundamental rights and freedoms. It encompasses a range of exploitative practices including human trafficking and slavery-like practices such as forced marriage, forced labour, deceptive recruiting and debt bondage.
The response agrees in full, part, or in-principle, to 25 of the 30 recommendations from the review completed by Professor John McMillan AO in line with the Albanese Government's commitment to strengthening the Act, including by increasing the clarity of reporting obligations and simplifying the regulatory framework.
The response also commits the Government to consulting on, among other things, a potential model for written declarations of a region, location, industry, product, supplier or supply chain that is regarded as carrying a high modern slavery risk.
The new Commonwealth Anti-Slavery Commissioner, Mr Chris Evans, begins his five-year term today.
The Government will work with the Commissioner, business, civil society and other stakeholders in this important next phase of Australia's response to modern slavery.
Consultation opportunities will be published on the Attorney-General's Department's Consultation Hub .
The Government appreciates the efforts of all stakeholders who informed the statutory review of the Modern Slavery Act, and especially thanks Professor McMillan for his work and diligent leadership.
Read the Government response to the review of the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) .
Additional support
Help is available for any person experiencing, or at risk of, human trafficking or other forms of modern slavery.
The Australian Federal Police can keep you safe, provide advice and refer you to support services. Call 131 237 (131 AFP). If you have immediate concerns for your safety or the safety of someone else, call Triple 0 (000).
If you suspect that another person is experiencing, or at risk of, human trafficking or modern slavery, call 131 AFP (237) or use the AFP's confidential online form.
If you are in, or at risk of, forced marriage, visit mybluesky.org.au for support and free, confidential legal advice.
