A coalition of more than 100 investors, businesses, unions and advocacy groups has launched a push for the federal government to strengthen Australia’s modern slavery laws. Source: Sydney Morning Herald.
The alliance warned that the existing regime has failed to improve conditions for workers and left the country lagging international standards.
In a letter sent to Attorney-General Michelle Rowland, the alliance of 105 signatories called on the government to introduce mandatory due diligence requirements for large companies operating in Australia, shifting the law away from disclosure and towards obligations to identify and address forced labour risks in supply chains.
The intervention comes three years after an independent review of Australia’s Modern Slavery Act found the legislation had “not yet caused meaningful change” for people affected and recommended sweeping reforms.
The review, led by Professor John McMillan, made 30 recommendations including introducing mandatory due diligence obligations for companies. While the Albanese Government accepted 25 recommendations in principle in late 2024, none has yet been enacted.
Responsible Investment Association Australasia co-chief executive Estelle Parker said investors increasingly regarded labour exploitation as a financial risk rather than purely an ethical issue.
“A business model that relies on underpaid workers, weak regulation or illegal activities like modern slavery will [be unlikely to] produce sustainable earnings,” Ms Parker said.
Campaigners say the current framework, introduced in 2018, relies too heavily on reporting requirements and lacks mechanisms to compel companies to prevent exploitation.
There are an estimated 50 million people globally living in conditions of modern slavery and forced labour, including about 41,000 people in Australia, according to figures cited by the coalition.
The groups say stronger laws are needed to ensure companies are required to act when risks are identified rather than simply disclose them in annual statements.
Earlier this year Anti-Slavery Commissioner Chris Evans called for stronger laws amid growing international scrutiny over Australia’s approach to imports linked to forced labour.
Moe Turaga from Domus 8.7, an agency of the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney, said survivors had expected Australia’s modern slavery laws to drive stronger change.
“People with lived experience of modern slavery like myself had high hopes,” Turaga said. “I am frustrated we are still not seeing meaningful change to the circumstances of people most at risk.”
Consultation on reforms began last August and concluded in March. The government said it is closely considering stakeholder feedback and examining ways to strengthen laws.
FULL STORY
‘Exploitation isn’t sustainable’: $400 trillion investor coalition demands overhaul of modern slavery laws (By Rob Harris, Sydney Morning Herald)
