Attorney-General Michelle Rowland is consulting over new legislation to crack down on modern slavery from overseas supply chains. Photo: File.
The Federal Government won’t admit it’s got anything to do with the threat of more Trump tariffs, but it is strengthening modern slavery laws to crack down on supply chains from around the world.
Big companies that don’t act to ensure their imports are not the result of slave labour will be prosecuted.
Under new legislation yet to be drafted, Labor will seek to apply the Criminal Code to companies with an annual consolidated revenue of more than $100 million and that can’t prove they have tried to stop worker exploitation in the goods they are selling.
Australia already has clear modern slavery laws, but alarm was raised recently when US President Donald Trump listed it among a dozen nations that could attract a 12.5 per cent tariff for not doing enough to crack down on forced labour.
Attorney-General Michelle Rowland wouldn’t say when asked if the new laws were connected to the tariff threat from the US.
“On the issue of tariffs, we have consistently made the case to the United States that any tariffs on Australian products are unjustified,” she said on Thursday (16 July).
“What we’ve announced today in terms of our modern slavery reforms, they follow extensive consultation and I think that they will be widely welcomed by Australians.”
Ms Rowland said the government would be consulting over the design of new legislation.
“Australians rightly expect that the products they buy are not made on the back of modern slavery, which is why the Albanese Government is delivering a legislative framework with teeth,” she said.
“The proposed changes will introduce greater accountability, levelling the playing field for the majority of Australian businesses already doing the right thing.
“We will continue to work closely with stakeholders to inform the design of the proposed legislative changes, ensuring we strengthen efforts to combat modern slavery while continuing to support Australian businesses.”
The Attorney-General pointed to modern slavery as a major violation of human rights that has devastating impacts, depriving victims of their basic freedoms and dignity.
Modern slavery, including forced labour and debt bondage, is already a crime under Australian law, including where it happens outside Australia.
According to the Global Slavery Index, an estimated 50 million people are living in modern slavery, a practice that demands a concerted effort from every country to eradicate it.
“Australia has a robust legislative framework and a world-leading approach to addressing modern slavery, but we can and should do more,” Ms Rowland said.
Under the proposed new laws, companies will have a defence if they can demonstrate that they took reasonable steps to prevent modern slavery.
The government also intends to introduce civil penalties and associated enforcement powers to address non-compliance with existing obligations under the Modern Slavery Act.
“These reforms will be complemented by practical guidance and education initiatives to assist companies to better identify, manage and remediate modern slavery risks in their supply chains,” Ms Rowland said.
“The reforms will significantly strengthen Australia’s response to modern slavery in supply chains by enhancing accountability and encouraging effective risk management while maintaining a practical and proportionate framework for business.”
The Human Rights Law Centre has welcomed the announcement, saying if the laws are passed the changes will better protect the freedom and dignity of people who grow the food Australians eat and the products they use every day.
The announcement comes after an alliance of more than 100 investors, businesses, unions, civil society organisations, academics and survivor advocates wrote to the Federal Government earlier this year calling for measures to urgently strengthen Australia’s modern slavery laws.
The centre’s associate legal director Freya Dinshaw said Australia’s modern slavery laws have long been criticised as weak and ineffectual.
“Today’s announcement represents a welcome and long-overdue step towards meaningfully strengthening Australia’s modern slavery laws and ensuring accountability for companies that turn a blind eye to exploitation and abuse,” she said
“Most importantly, the proposed changes create a clear obligation on companies to take action to prevent modern slavery in their supply chains – this has the potential to drive real change to workers’ lives.
“We have yet to see the full details of the proposal but are encouraged that the Albanese Government also plans to consult on appropriate remedies for victims of modern slavery.
“It is critical that any new offences are accompanied by direct pathways for workers to pursue justice.”
Original Article published by Chris Johnson on Region Canberra.
