A powerful alliance of over 100 investors, businesses, unions, civil society organisations, academics and survivor advocates have joined forces in calling on the Federal Government to urgently strengthen Australia’s Modern Slavery Act, exactly three years after an independent review of the Act found it had ‘not yet caused meaningful change’ for people impacted by modern slavery.

The 105 signatories include major institutional investors representing trillions in assets, alongside eight national and state unions and over 30 civil society organisations from five continents.

In a letter to the Attorney-General, the diverse group of stakeholders have urged the Albanese Government to prioritise the introduction of modern slavery due diligence requirements on large companies operating in Australia. The proposed reforms would shift corporate efforts from focusing on reporting alone to taking action by promoting a ‘proportionate, and outcome focused approach to addressing modern slavery’ that is aligned with international standards.

There are an estimated 50 million people globally and 41,000 people in Australia who are trapped in conditions of modern slavery and forced labour. Stronger modern slavery laws are essential so that the people who produce the food, clothing and technology we consume in Australia can have a chance to work in freedom and dignity.

The joint letter is the latest development in calls to strengthen the Modern Slavery Act, following similar calls for law reform made by the independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner Chris Evans earlier this year. It comes as the United States has announced an investigation into Australia’s failure to ban goods made with forced labour, and as Australia enters into a Free Trade Agreement with the European Union which recently introduced mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence requirements on large businesses.

It is expected that the Albanese Government will announce a decision on reforming the Act in coming months.

Download the letter.

Quotes:

Moe Turaga, Lived Experience Advisor, Domus 8.7

“People with lived experience of modern slavery like myself had high hopes for the Modern Slavery Act. We still do. But over seven years since the Act came into force, I am frustrated we are still not seeing meaningful change to the circumstances of people most at risk. Too many organisations are still ignoring their basic reporting responsibilities. It’s time for a harder line. We need a stronger Modern Slavery Act now. People in modern slavery can’t wait.”

Michele O’Neil, President, Australian Council of Trade Unions

“The union movement calls on the Federal Government to strengthen the Modern Slavery Act in line with the recommendations of the independent review conducted three years ago, which made clear the current laws have failed to protect workers. No worker should be forced into dangerous, exploitative work that puts their health and safety at risk. It’s past the time to toughen our Modern Slavery Act.

“Our current laws fail to establish a legal duty for businesses to conduct due diligence throughout their supply chains. Strong modern slavery laws create a level playing field where workers are protected, and businesses who do the right thing are not undercut.”

Estelle Parker, Co-CEO, Responsible Investment Association Australasia

“Exploitation isn’t a sustainable business model, and investors are pricing that risk in. Strong human rights due diligence helps identify risks early, prioritise what matters most, and reduce material financial risk – something every investor recognises as essential to portfolio resilience. A business model that relies on underpaid workers, weak regulation or illegal activities like modern slavery, will unlikely produce sustainable earnings. Companies need to identify supply-chain risks before they escalate.”

Grace Forrest, Founding Director, Walk Free

“Australia’s Modern Slavery Act was meant to protect people, not produce paperwork. After years of reports but little change, we need legislation that shifts companies from reporting on risk to reducing it. There is increasing global momentum to move beyond transparency to accountability. Our trading partners are adopting mandatory due diligence and stepping up import restrictions on goods made with forced labour. Australia can’t afford to be the weak link.”

Freya Dinshaw, Associate Legal Director, Human Rights Law Centre

“From boardrooms all the way to the factory floor, there is clear support for reforming Australia’s modern slavery laws. Everyone deserves to live well, enjoy fair and dignified work, and build a better future, but our voluntary reporting regime is failing to protect workers from exploitation. We need rules that require companies to take reasonable and proportionate steps to prevent modern slavery, and accountability for those that fail to comply.”

Kate Dundas, Executive Director, UN Global Compact Network Australia

“The strength and breadth of support for this reform – from industry and investors to unions and civil society – reflects a clear consensus that mandatory due diligence on modern slavery will benefit business and is essential to driving meaningful change for workers. There is now a real opportunity for Australia to get this right – and in doing so, deliver a reform that strengthens supply chain resilience, supports business competitiveness and advances the government’s own productivity agenda.”

Shaeron Yapp, Independent Member of Modern Slavery Expert Advisory Group

“Laws that clarify that actually the goal is due diligence – not just corporate reporting – would drive real impact for workers while unlocking value for business. Done well, due diligence can improve productivity through more resilient, efficient supply chains and business operations.”

Background:

It has been exactly three years since an independent statutory review of the Modern Slavery Act was led by Professor John McMillan AO, which found that the reporting law had “not yet caused meaningful change” for people living with modern slavery and made 30 recommendations to strengthen the Act including the introduction of due diligence requirements. To date, none of the recommendations have been enacted.

In December 2024, the Albanese Government responded to the review accepting 25 of the 30 recommendations, and committed to consult further on the introduction of ‘due diligence’ requirements. In August 2025, consultations commenced on several aspects of the Australian modern slavery framework, recently concluding in March this year.

The United Nations has made several recommendations for Australia to introduce due diligence reforms, with the UN Special Rapporteur on Slavery calling on the Albanese Government to introduce a due diligence obligation into the Act “as many businesses are not identifying contemporary forms of slavery in reality”. In March 2026, the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights called on Australia to introduce mandatory human rights due diligence under the 𝘔𝘰𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘚𝘭𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘈𝘤𝘵 2018 (Cth) – and to report back on progress within 24 months.

The Modern Slavery Act was introduced by the Coalition Government in 2018 with bi-partisan support.

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