A new unit is to be established within the Department of Home Affairs to help combat modern slavery.
Assistant Minister for Home Affairs, Alex Hawke said the new Anti-Slavery Business Engagement Unit would help harness the power of big business as part of a Modern Slavery Reporting Requirement.
Mr Hawke said the reporting process would require more than 3,000 large corporations and other entities to publish annual public statements on the actions they take to address modern slavery in their supply chains and operations.
He said legislation would be introduced into Parliament by the middle of this year to establish the Modern Slavery Act which would send a clear message that modern slavery would not be tolerated in the Australian community or in the supply chains of goods and services.
“Modern slavery thrives in the shadows of global supply chains and involves serious crimes and human rights abuses,” Mr Hawke said.
“It is a significant risk for Australian businesses as it undermines their competitiveness and can have substantial legal and reputational costs for businesses that fail to protect their supply chains.”
He said that in a world first, the Department of Home Affairs would also publish an annual statement covering Commonwealth procurement as a way of leading by example.
Mr Hawke said the new Unit would provide expert support and advice to business on modern slavery risks and manage a central repository of all modern slavery statements.
The Department would also support specialist civil society organisations working to prevent and address modern slavery.
A two-page factsheet on the Modern Slavery Reporting Requirement can be accessed on the Department of Home Affairs’ website at this PS News link.
