"Australian businesses unaware of slavery in supply chains, inquiry told", 1 August 2017

Australian businesses are not doing enough to tackle slavery in their supply chains, a federal inquiry has heard...Submissions to the joint committee looking at establishing a Modern Slavery Act in Australia has backed introducing new laws to force big companies to report on modern slavery in their supply chains...Business lobbies and companies acknowledge that more needs to be done to address the problem...Nestle said it was striving for better conditions for workers...Despite "strong rates of compliance...our responsible sourcing audits uncover incidents of forced labour and modern slavery", Nestle said.

"The issue of slavery is present, endemic and global," Australian Council of Superannuation Investors chief executive Louise Davidson said. "It warrants urgent action by the Australian government."...