People must be able to work in conditions that are free from exploitation and degradation. Modern Slavery hides in plain sight in business practices and supply chains in Australia and elsewhere. It refers to criminal and some slavery-like business practices that deny employees their self-determination and agency including the better-known human trafficking and forced labour – but also debt bondage, child labour and domestic servitude.  

In Australia, new migrants, workers who are temporary visa holders, and students are especially vulnerable to modern slavery practices. 

In Western Australia we are fortunate to have the expertise of the international human rights group Walk Free focused on the eradication of modern slavery.  Walk Free produces the Global Slavery Index, the most comprehensive data on modern slavery in the world.   

I have supported the Government’s establishment of an Anti-Slavery Commissioner, but there remain significant shortcomings in relation to the standard and substance of reporting modern slavery and a lack of enforceability. I have reservations about the effectiveness of the powers of the Commissioner without more badly needed reforms such as: 

• requiring entities to receive more guidance in relation to their assessment and measurement of their business vulnerability and risk to different types of modern slavery.   

• creating a duty to cooperate with the Commissioner. 

• creating a mechanism to refer complaints and protection of victims and whistleblowers 

I will continue to urge the Government to amend legislation to enhance the scope of this role so that an Anti- Slavery Commissioner can drive real change.