From 2016 to 2020, Chris Evans, Australia’s first Anti-Slavery Commissioner, was Walk Free’s lead in strategic engagement. Photo: Minderoo Foundation.
Former Labor minister Chris Evans is Australia’s first-ever Anti-Slavery Commissioner. He will take up the role next month for an initial five years.
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus announced the appointment on Monday (11 November), noting the Federal Government had committed $8 million over four years in the 2023-24 Budget to support the Commissioner’s establishment and operation.
“I am pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Evans as the inaugural Australian Anti-Slavery Commissioner,” Mr Dreyfus said in a statement.
“Mr Evans has been appointed following a merit-based selection process and will commence a five-year term on 2 December 2024.
“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 Anti-Slavery Commissioner will further strengthen the work undertaken across government, business and civil society to prevent and respond to modern slavery by supporting victims and survivors, raising community awareness and helping business address the risk of modern slavery practices in their operations and supply chains.
“I congratulate Mr Evans on his appointment and thank him for taking on this important role.”
The Attorney-General later told the ABC that it was hard to know the full extent of the slavery problem in Australia.
Working to identify the size and facets of the problem will form part of the new Commissioner’s role.
“I don’t think we have a clear picture,” Mr Dreyfus said.
“We know that modern slavery exists in other countries. We know that modern slavery exists in our country.
“One of the reasons for appointing this modern slavery commissioner is that it helps raise awareness.”
The establishment of the Anti-Slavery Commissioner delivers on the government’s election commitment to establish an independent Commissioner to lead the fight against modern slavery.
As Commissioner, Mr Evans will play a key role in helping to shape the implementation of future modern slavery reforms, including those arising from the statutory review of the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth).
Mr Evans was a Senator for Western Australia between 1993 and 2013.
He served as Leader of the Government in the Senate (2007-13), Minister for Immigration and Citizenship (2007-10), Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations (2010-11) and Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research (2011-13).
Mr Evans has served as the chief executive officer of the global freedom network of Walk Free, working with faith leaders to end human trafficking and modern slavery.
From 2016 to 2020 he also held the role of strategic engagement lead with Walk Free, leading the organisation’s national and international engagement with governments, business and civil society to forge partnerships to strengthen legislative and policy responses to modern slavery.
Walk Free played a significant role in the campaign for the introduction of the Modern Slavery Bill 2018.
Original Article published by Chris Johnson on Riotact.
