NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner welcomes creation of federal role

The NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner, Dr James Cockayne, today welcomed the passage through federal Parliament of legislation that will create a role of Australian Anti-slavery Commissioner.

“I welcome passage of the Modern Slavery Amendment (Australian Anti-slavery Commissioner) Act 2023 (Cth) authorising the statutory appointment of an Australian Anti-slavery Commissioner”, said Dr Cockayne. “In New South Wales, the only state in the country with an independent anti-slavery commissioner, we have seen how having someone in this kind of role can help promote more effective responses to modern slavery.”

“With an estimated 41,000 people in Australia in modern slavery, and less than 1% of that number reporting each year to the Australian Federal Police, there is a need for urgent action. I welcome the Commonwealth Parliament’s action today, alongside the efforts by the Australian government to develop an alternative referral pathway and a Forced Marriage Specialist Support Program. I look forward to working closely with the Australian Anti-Slavery Commissioner once they are appointed, and to a truly federal effort to combat modern slavery in years ahead.”