Graham Perrett (Moreton, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

The Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade inquired into establishing a modern slavery act in Australia. They handed down their final report in December. As a member of that committee, I was horrified to read the evidence presented at that inquiry. I also dealt with this issue as deputy chair of the Human Rights Committee. I'm horrified that human trafficking, forced labour, sexual slavery, child labour and trafficking, domestic servitude, forced marriage, bonded labour—including debt bondage and slavery—are still being inflicted on our fellow human beings in the 21st century. I'm horrified, but, sadly, I'm not surprised.

I'm horrified that in 2017 there are 45.8 million people living in slavery around the world. That's about double the population of Australia. Two-thirds of those trapped in slavery-like conditions are in our Asia-Pacific region. These people are our neighbours. Often, they are enslaved in the global supply chains of companies that provide products and services to Australians every day—you and me. Industries like manufacturing, construction and agriculture agree that exploitation is occurring in these sectors. Some Australian companies have acknowledged that they have found forms of forced labour in their own company's supply chains. These are mainstream companies like Fortescue Metals and Wesfarmers, to name but a few.

Some horrifying exploitation is occurring in the production of chocolate that Australians consume every day. Australians chew through an astounding three million tonnes of chocolate every year—a fair bit of that in my household. Around two million children—some as young as eight years old—are being used as child slave labour on cocoa plantations in Africa. Some of these children are brought to the plantations after being abducted or kidnapped. They live in terrible conditions, are given very little food and receive almost no education. They are made to work in the hot sun for hours upon hours and they suffer beatings from those enslaving them, just so we can gorge ourselves on chocolate. We should remember these children at Easter time, when the supermarkets are full of wall-to-wall chocolate eggs. I'm not prepared to sit back and do nothing while this cruelty is happening right on our doorstep.

Labor has already committed to a modern slavery act, an act which would have penalties for noncompliance. Other countries have already enacted legislation designed to combat modern slavery, including the United Kingdom, France, Canada and throughout the European Union. I've had briefings from members of the United Kingdom parliament and activists on that particular legislation and how it's been rolled out. The Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade gives in-principle support in its report for developing a modern slavery act in Australia, including mandatory supply chain reporting requirements for companies, businesses, organisations and governments. The committee gave in-principle support to key elements of the United Kingdom's model of supply chain reporting. There are already some companies operating in Australia that are required to report because they have offices in the United Kingdom. The committee heard very positive accounts from those companies about the legislative requirements from the UK. I attended a human rights conference in London a year ago and met with people who advocate against modern slavery. The former Senator Chris Evans is actually doing some great work in this area. This model of legislation which has reporting requirements attached is popular throughout Commonwealth nations. We can and should learn from other countries, like the UK, who have already taken a stand and are making companies accountable for their supply chains.

I look forward to the Turnbull government's bill being introduced. The bill must include penalties for companies which breach the act. A modern slavery act without penalties is a toothless tiger. Modern slavery is an important human rights issue and should concern all of us. We should not be leaving big business to police themselves on slavery. Too often, the Turnbull government panders to big business. Only a modern slavery act that improves transparency within business supply chains and has penalties for companies which breach the act will be an effective tool to combat modern slavery.

The committee also recommended that the government establish an independent antislavery commissioner so that the estimated 4,300 victims of modern slavery right here in Australia can receive the crucial help they need. Victims of modern slavery rarely get the justice they deserve. An antislavery commissioner would provide support for law enforcement and also for victims; and an independent antislavery commissioner would also provide crucial oversight of supply chain reporting. So I call on the Turnbull government to include in their bill an independent antislavery commissioner. A bill without penalties or a commissioner would rely on goodwill too much. Sadly, it would be symbolic and empty. The government must join with the Labor Party and implement a strong modern slavery act. Again, I thank the member for bringing this motion to the chamber.

See this speech in context