Maria Vamvakinou (Calwell, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to congratulate the Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans, otherwise known as ACRATH, on their 10th anniversary of active campaigning and lobbying for the most fundamental human rights, especially the right of women and children. I recall visiting ACRATH at their offices some 10 years ago and suggested to them that they get an advocacy team together in order to bring about change and make a difference. This is exactly what they have done and, led by National Executive Officer Christine Carolan and National President Sister Anne Tormey, the ACRATH team were once again in Parliament House last week. I am very proud to have hosted many of their annual visits over the last 10 years and I am also very proud of their achievements. One of these achievements of course has been the successful lobbying for changes to the Human Trafficking Visa Framework. Another has been to organise consumer campaigns in support of ethical supply chains. One well-known retailer has changed its sourcing policies to ensure that at least 70 per cent of the chocolate they sell is made from cocoa beans picked by properly paid workers.

ACRATH are represented on the Supply Chains Working Group on the National Roundtable on Human Trafficking and Slavery. They also devised a rating guide for ethically produced clothing called STOP THE TRAFFIK. ACRATH recently received funding to develop an education kit around marriage choice and young women's rights, which is being trialled in nine schools across the state, including one in my electorate. ACRATH are a small NGO but they have managed to achieve a great deal over the past decade with compassion, warmth and dedication. I commend them and look forward to continuing our relationship.