News

Australia toughens rules on slavery

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The Australian Federal Government has moved to crack down on modern slavery by forcing large businesses to explain the steps they are taking to eradicate it.

The Coalition plans to introduce legislation that would force companies with annual revenue of over $100 million to ensure their supply chains are not complicit in forced labour or human trafficking and to publish their statements on slavery every year on a public database and on the company websites.

Justice Minister Michael Keenan said the Government would talk to businesses to make sure its final legislation was “as simple, sensible and effective as possible” and to help them “respond more effectively to modern slavery” and “create a level playing field to share information” about their efforts.

Advocacy groups say there are more than 4,000 victims of modern slavery in Australia.

Government