December 2020

In developing the Commonwealth Statement, the Government has adopted a targeted, risk-based approach in identifying and assessing modern slavery risks. This approach is consistent with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) [...]. This approach has informed the Government’s focus, for this reporting period, on four key modern slavery risk areas: textiles, construction, cleaning and security services, and investments.

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The Australian Border Force (ABF), in leading the development of the Commonwealth Statement, consulted closely with NCCEs. The ABF also collaborated widely with business, academia and civil society on the approaches taken to addressing modern slavery risks.

Leveraging the expertise within these consulted groups, the Government has developed a suite of resources to assist Commonwealth procurement officers identify and respond to modern slavery risks in current and future procurements, as well as influence change in the private sector:

• The Risk Screening Tool will assist the Government to identify and understand the risks associated with both new procurements as well as in existing contractual arrangements;
• The Supplier Questionnaire will assist the Government to assess, mitigate and address modern slavery risks in its supply chains, by facilitating assessment of Commonwealth suppliers’ policies and practices throughout their supply chains and operations; and
• A suite of Modern Slavery Model Contract Clauses for inclusion in government procurement contracts greater than $200,000, to leverage the Government’s unique position to influence the conduct of suppliers and market practices to drive positive change.

[...] To increase awareness of these challenges and inform targeted, risk-aware responses from the private sector, the Government issued information about the impacts of COVID-19 on vulnerable workers and guidance on steps to protect and support vulnerable workers in their operations and supply chains from the impacts of COVID-19.