Australia is searching for its first Anti-Slavery Commissioner.
Federal Parliament has passed the Modern Slavery Amendment (Australian Anti-Slavery Commissioner) Bill 2023 which allows for the establish of an independent Commissioner, who will be tasked with leading the fight against modern slavery.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Anti-Slavery Commissioner would strengthen the work undertaken across government, business and civil society to prevent and respond to modern slavery.
Prime Minister Albanese said the new Commissioner would support victims and survivors, raise community awareness and help business address the risk of modern slavery practices in their operations and supply chains.
“The Commissioner will also play a key role in helping to shape the implementation of future modern slavery reforms, including those arising from the statutory review of the Modern Slavery Act 2018.”
Anti-Slavery International defines modern slavery “as when an individual is exploited by others, for personal or commercial gain. Whether tricked, coerced, or forced, they lose their freedom. This includes but is not limited to human trafficking, forced labour and debt bondage”.
