The Department of Home Affairs has released a scoping paper on how the Australian public sector can avoid supporting modern slavery in its procurement and purchasing practices
Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs, Jason Wood said the yet-to-be-finalised Commonwealth Modern Slavery Statement paper would link with Australia’s Modern Slavery Act 2018, the only legislation in the world requiring a Government to report on modern slavery risks in its procurement activities.
“The landmark Modern Slavery Act ensures Australia continues to take an international leadership role in eradicating modern slavery in our supply chains and creates a strong foundation for future action,” Mr Wood said.
“The scoping paper explains how the Government will prepare the first Commonwealth Statement and provides an important example of how businesses and other entities can prepare to report under the Modern Slavery Act.”
He said the Commonwealth Modern Slavery Statement would report on modern slavery risks in the Government’s procurement and investment activities and explain the steps taken to identify and respond to those risks.
“The scoping paper outlines content to be included in the Commonwealth Statement such as the modern slavery risk areas targeted for action and steps the Government is taking to address these risks, comprising its response to risks linked to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mr Wood said.
“This is just one of the many ways we are demonstrating our commitment in the fight against modern slavery in our supply chains.”
He said the first Commonwealth Modern Slavery Statement would cover the 2019-20 financial year and would be published by the end of this year.
The Department’s 4-page Scoping Paper can be accessed at this PS News link.
