19 July 2020

The New South Wales premier is facing fresh calls to bring into force the nation's strongest anti-slavery laws, which remain in limbo amid fears the government is coming under pressure from the business community.

A wide range of faith-based groups, community organisations, anti-slavery campaigners and lawyers will write to Gladys Berejiklian [...] to warn that Covid-19 will put more people under pressure to accept lower workplace standards and could see an increase in exploitation.

"Exploitation in supply chains for goods and services is expected to rise exponentially, both here in Australia and overseas, exacerbated by freedom-of-movement restrictions aimed at reducing the spread of the virus, which may provide cover for some to exploit and bond people," states the letter, which is signed by more than 117 individuals and groups.

"It is imperative that the act is not delayed any longer."

[...]

But despite passing both houses of NSW parliament and receiving royal assent in 2018, the state legislation has never actually come into force.

[...]

The joint letter – coordinated by the anti-slavery group Be Slavery Free – states that if NSW is serious about its commitment to ending modern slavery, the law must be implemented as a matter of urgency.

[...]

The signatories include barrister Philip Granville Wallis, who says he is inspired by the record of his British abolitionist ancestor to keep up the fight against injustice.

[...]
Other signatories include Unions NSW, the Anglican Church of Australia's public affairs commission along with several Anglican dioceses, Australian Lawyers for Human Rights, Caritas Australia, the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, and the grand mufti of Australia, Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamed.

[...]