Modern slavery hearing in Canberra

THE Foreign Affairs and Aid Sub-Committee of the Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will hear from a range of organisations, experts and government officials at a public hearing in Canberra on Friday 11 August for its inquiry into establishing a Modern Slavery Act in Australia.

The Sub-Committee is investigating measures to improve Australia’s framework for combatting modern slavery. This includes examining whether provisions of the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 could be improved and introduced in Australia, such as the requirement for businesses to report on measures to eradicate modern slavery from their global supply chains.

Chair of the Foreign Affairs and Aid Sub‑Committee, Mr Chris Crewther MP, said the Sub-Committee welcomed the opportunity to meet with organisations and experts including UNICEF Australia and Dr Anne Gallagher AO, as well as Australian government officials responsible for implementing the National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking and Slavery 2015-2019. The Sub-Committee will also hear from UK witnesses via videoconference, including Ms Caroline Haughey who was commissioned by the UK Government to review the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

“The Sub-Committee looks forward to hearing from these organisations and experts on how Australia can better combat modern slavery here and around the world,” Mr Crewther said. “The opportunity to meet with key government officials will inform the Sub-Committee’s inquiry to ensure that Australia is doing all it can to eradicate these monstrous crimes.”

Public hearing details: 9:00am to 5:00pm, Friday 11 August, Committee Room 2S3, Parliament House, Canberra

The full program for Friday’s hearing is available from the committee’s website.

This hearing will be streamed live at www.aph.gov.au/live.

Interested members of the public may wish to track the committee via the website. 

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