"Outrage as NSW government delays state's Modern Slavery Act", 1 July 2019

The architect of the NSW Modern Slavery Act is "disappointed" the state government has delayed implementation of the groundbreaking law, while the Opposition has branded the move "outrageous".

But the NSW Anti-Slavery Interim Commissioner, Jennifer Burn...said the "intent was clear" in the original legislation but it needed amendment....

Special Minister of State Don Harwin told Parliament...he would refer the Modern Slavery Act, Amendment Bill and draft regulation to a parliamentary committee.

Paul Green, a former Christian Democrat member of the NSW Legislative Council, introduced the NSW Modern Slavery Act as a private member....

"I'm really disappointed that they have sent it to a committee," Mr Green said. "There was robust discussion about it and some of the issues the government brought forward were dealt with and it is just a shame that we weren't able to continue to lead by example for the rest of Australia by implementing the Act...."

The Commonwealth Modern Slavery Act...is already in effect...[t]he NSW Act goes further, applying to businesses with $50 million in turnover..., establishing an anti-slavery commissioner, and containing penalties for non-compliance.

In Parliament Mr Harwin raised the prospect the federal law might render "part or possibly all of the NSW Act unnecessary"....

However, Professor Burn said the Commonwealth and NSW acts were different, noting the state Act's "much broader focus" and focus on prevention and victim support.

Mr Green said he did not want the NSW Act to be a watered down version of the federal Act.