NSW Government Agencies and local Councils are to be required to ensure that the goods and services they procure are not the product of modern slavery, under new laws to come into effect from 1 January next year.
Announced by Special Minister of State, Don Harwin, the Modern Slavery Amendment Bill 2021 will also establish Australia’s first Anti-slavery Commissioner.
“Statutory-owned corporations will also be required to assess the risks of modern slavery in their supply chains,” Mr Harwin said.
“The Act will impose reporting obligations on all these entities,” he said.
“Government is leading by example to require itself – by law – to take action against possible modern slavery in its supply chains.”
Mr Harwin said Government could achieve this by maximising transparency in its procurement practices.
The Minister said key to the operation of the scheme would be the establishment of the Anti-slavery Commissioner.
“This independent office will have broad oversight over the Government to monitor its policies and action in combating modern slavery, issue codes of practice and maintain a public register that identifies Government Agencies that do not comply,” he said.
“The Auditor-General will also have the authority to undertake risk-based audits of Government procurement.”
Mr Harwin said once in effect, NSW would be the first State or Territory in Australia to have standalone legislation in operation to fight against modern slavery.
He said the recruitment process for the inaugural Anti-slavery Commissioner would commence shortly.
