Many Australian companies continue to turn a blind eye to exploitation and abuse in their supply chains. The Human Rights Law Centre advocates for stronger laws to end modern slavery. 

PROJECT | Corporate Accountability

Everyone deserves to work in freedom and dignity. But this is not the case for the 28 million people trapped in conditions of modern slavery globally. From Malaysian workers forced to work around the clock to make PPE for the COVID crisis, to migrant workers trapped in shocking conditions on Australian farms, many companies continue to turn a blind eye to exploitation and abuse in their supply chains. 

The Human Rights Law Centre has been at the forefront of pushing for the first modern slavery laws and oversight in Australia. We have advocated in the media, before parliamentary committees and in meetings with politicians from all political parties for stronger laws. In December 2018, we had a major win when Australia’s first modern slavery laws were passed through Australian Parliament.  

While the Modern Slavery Act was a big step forward, it must be strengthened to prevent abuse. The Act was meant to drive a ‘race to the top’ by Australian business to address these practices, but unfortunately there is still work to be done. Research we conducted in 2021 and 2022 revealed that most companies have barely left the starting blocks. Our reports found that an alarming number of companies failed to identify obvious risks of forced labour in their supply chains or take necessary action to address them.  

Our team advocates for the Modern Slavery Act to be strengthened and for effective oversight to ensure compliance. Our laws should require companies to carry out due diligence to ensure their supply chains are clean and that they face appropriate penalties when they do not comply. Our laws should provide pathways for exploited workers to access justice.  

In 2022, the Government launched a review of the Modern Slavery Act to look at how the legislation could be improved. We co-ordinated civil society, conducted advocacy around the review, and made submissions recommending critical reforms. In May 2023, the findings of the review were released. The review supported several of our recommendations and found that our modern slavery laws must be strengthened. 

In December 2024, our advocacy together with unions, faith groups, and modern slavery advocates successfully led to achieving our goal of Australia’s first national, independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner being appointed.   

The Albanese Government also made its first steps to reforming Australia’s weak modern slavery reporting laws, including agreeing to introduce penalties for large companies which fail to report or publish false information.  

While these wins are an important step forward, big corporations should be required to not just report, but to take action to identify and address their modern slavery risks.   

In 2025, the government has agreed to consult on whether to introduce a ‘due diligence’ requirement that would make this a reality. Our team will continue to push for stronger laws to eradicate slavery and properly protect the rights of workers who make the products we use every day.