Australian firms may have to report anti-slavery steps

To crack down on modern slavery, Australia plans to introduce a legislation that would force companies with annual revenues of over $100 million to scrutinise supply chains and ensure they are not complicit in forced labour or human trafficking. By November end every year, the firms have to submit a report that will be freely available online to the public.

In a public consultation paper and regulation impact statement on the reporting requirements on modern slavery in supply chains released last week by the government’s attorney-general’s department, justice minister Michael Keenan said the regulation will raise business awareness of this issue and encourage business to use their market influence to improve workplace standards and practices.

The government would talk to businesses to make sure its final legislation was "as simple, sensible and effective as possible," Keenan said. The annual reports on the issue by the companies would be available for free on a public database and would also have to be published on the company websites.

Keenan said forcing larger companies to publish slavery statements is an incentive for them to make sure none of their smaller suppliers were abusing staff.

The government’s proposal has been welcomed by anti-slavery groups and business. Australia has had slavery provisions in the commonwealth criminal code since 1999 and more than 350 suspected victims of modern slavery have been identified in the country since 2004.