6 things the Australian government needs to do to combat modern slavery
With the 2025 Australian election approaching, leaders like Anthony Albanese (Labor), Peter Dutton (Liberal), and Adam Bandt (Greens) must prioritise stronger modern slavery laws, including reforming the Modern Slavery Act and improving corporate accountability.
Australia has made progress in addressing modern slavery, but stronger action is needed to keep pace with global developments.
Without meaningful reform, Australia risks falling behind as other countries introduce stricter due diligence laws and bans on forced labour goods.
The upcoming election is a critical moment for leaders such as Anthony Albanese of the Labor Party, Peter Dutton of the Liberal Party, and Adam Bandt of the Greens to strengthen Australia’s response to modern slavery.
Beyond corporate accountability, urgent action is needed to improve survivor leadership, align policies on forced marriage, and secure longer-term funding for the Anti-Slavery Commissioner.
There are 6 important actions the Australian government needs to take to strengthen its fight against modern slavery.
1. Strengthen the Modern Slavery Act (MSA) with ambitious reforms and new legislation
The MSA was a landmark piece of legislation. It played a key role in pushing large companies to consider the risk of modern slavery in their supply chains and in raising awareness of modern slavery in Australia.
However, its minimal reporting requirements are outdated in the current global landscape.
There is now a move towards legislation placing genuine due diligence obligations on companies, as well as bans on products made with forced labour.
2. Help businesses assess, prevent, and address modern slavery risks
Many businesses, and particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), struggle to effectively identify, assess, and mitigate modern slavery risks within their operations and supply chains.
Limited resources, lack of expertise, and inconsistent guidance contribute to gaps in meaningful action.
Large corporations often have greater capacity to address these challenges. But there is a need to make sure SMEs, who make up a significant part of supply chains, are supported.
3. Improve company reporting and stop modern slavery greenwashing
Walk Free’s Beyond Compliance research has shown that many modern slavery statements lack meaningful action.
They are often used as a tick-box or public relations exercise rather than a genuine commitment to addressing risks.
Too many companies are greenwashing, making broad claims about their efforts without providing evidence of tangible outcomes.
Weak enforcement mechanisms and a lack of standardised reporting expectations contribute to vague and inconsistent disclosures.
4. Align forced marriage laws nationally and with global standards
Despite federal criminalisation of forced marriage, there is a lack of consistency in the definition across legal and policy frameworks in Australia, which must be addressed.
Australian legislation currently allows for children to be married in certain circumstances.
The minimum legal age of marriage must be raised to 18 with no exceptions in line with global standards.
5. Empower survivor leadership in Australia’s response to modern slavery
People who are most impacted by modern slavery are best placed to identify solutions.
However, the anti-slavery movement has not traditionally been led by survivors. This means that advocacy and programming can often be separated from lived expertise.
Survivors must be empowered through capacity building and seeking their expertise to inform and shape modern slavery advocacy.
6. Ensure sufficient long-term funding for the Anti-Slavery Commissioner’s office
In the FY23/25 budget, the federal government committed $AU 2 million a year until FY27/28 to support the inaugural Anti-Slavery Commissioner’s establishment and operation.
The appointment of the first Commissioner Chris Evans in December 2024 was a significant moment for Australia’s fight against modern slavery.
It’s important for the government to provide financial and long-term political support to help the Commissioner achieve key strategic goals.
