January 2020

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We recommend that, in determining and developing priority focus areas to be included in the Plan, the following key areas are addressed:

1. Ensure adequate pathways to remedy are established, and supported, for people experiencing abuse.
2. Introduce steps, including penalties, to be taken against companies in the event of failure to meet current legislative requirements.
3. Introduce new legislative approaches to combat modern slavery in supply chains, including mandatory human rights due diligence.
4. Ensure modern slavery in company supply chains, both within Australia and extraterritorially, is adequately addressed by focusing on both domestic and offshore operations of Australian companies.
5. Adopt a gender-sensitive approach to combating modern slavery.
6. Ensure due regard is paid to considering and mitigating against climate crisis impacts, including population displacement and linkage to increased worker vulnerability and exposure to harm.

Consultation questions

1. Do the 12 goals capture key areas of focus for Australia over the next five years?

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...[W]e recommend that the Plan prioritises protecting the rights of those who are most at risk of being harmed by modern slavery and adopts a gender-sensitive approach to protecting, respecting and remedying the rights of women and girls.

2. Should there be additional goals to address other areas of focus, emerging issues or trends? If so, what should they be?

...[W]e recommend the Australian Government introduces legislation to mandate the conduct of corporate human rights due diligence....

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...[W]e recommend that the human rights impacts of the climate crisis, including climate-induced migration and associated risk of exposure to harm as a result of modern slavery....

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We recommend that a gender-sensitive approach be adopted in developing the Plan and that due regard be paid to the voices and needs of women and girls....

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