Over 100 representatives from business, government, the investor and NGO communities gathered on Thursday, 6 April 2017 at the Modern Slavery Forum, convened by the GCNA, to proactively engage around the potential development of an Australian Modern Slavery Act which may introduce legislative requirements for business to tackle the issue.

Modern slavery in its many forms – human trafficking, forced labour and debt bondage among others – continues to affect millions around the world.

The forum heard from a range of leaders and experts from across sectors:

• Chris Crewther MP, Chair, Foreign Affairs and Aid Sub-Committee, Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence & Trade (which is conducting the inquiry into an Australian Modern Slavery Act)
• Andrew Forrest AO, Chairman, Fortescue Metals Group and Founder, Walk Free
• Sharan Burrow, General Secretary, International Trade Union Confederation
• Gershon Nimbalker, Advocacy Manager Baptist World Aid
• Vanessa Zimmerman, Group Advisor Human Rights, Rio Tinto and Chair, GCNA Business and Human Rights Leadership Group

Rt Hon Amber Rudd MP, UK Home Secretary also provided a video message for the Forum.

Message from Rt Hon Amber Rudd MP, UK Home Secretary

UK Home Secretary Rt. Hon Amber Rudd MP delivering a key address to the Global Compact Network Australia’s delegates in attendance at the Modern Slavery Forum in Sydney Thursday, 6 April 2017.

Modern Slavery Forum Agenda

Parliamentary Inquiry Submission

In February 2017, the Australian Government announced an inquiry into establishing a Modern Slavery Act in Australia, a move welcomed by the Global Compact Network Australia.

The full media release is available here.

Further details about the inquiry, including terms of reference and information about how to make a submission, are available here.

Submissions are due 28 April 2018.

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