27 September 2023

New slavery website to loosen chains

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Modern slavery risks in Australian supply chains are set to be easier to identify with the launch of a new website administered by the Australian Border Force (ABF).

Announced by the Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs, Jason Wood, the Online Register for Modern Slavery Statements is set to act as a central website for statements from thousands of large businesses required to comply with the Government’s Modern Slavery Act 2018.​

“This is the world’s first, Government-run website of its kind, and will provide Australian consumers, investors and civil society with an unprecedented window into the global supply chains that produce the goods and services we use every day,” Mr Wood said.

“This important initiative will galvanise efforts to clean up supply chains in Australia and around the world by significantly increasing supply chain transparency,” he said.

“From today, entities required to comply with the Modern Slavery Act can upload their statements directly to the website, where they will be freely accessible and searchable.”

“Under the Modern Slavery Act, large entities in the Australian market with annual consolidated revenue of at least AU$100 million must produce annual statements outlining their actions to address modern slavery risks in their global operations and supply chains.”

Mr Wood said the first statements would be published on the website this month.

He said the launch of the website was complemented by a new toolkit of resources to support Government procurement officers to respond to modern slavery risks in the Government’s procurement activities.

“These resources provide practical anti-slavery tools for procurement officers, including an e-learning module, supplier questionnaire, tender guidance and a risk assessment tool,” he said.

The ABF’s Online Register for Modern Slavery Statements and toolkit can be accessed at this PS News link.

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