Anti-Slavery Commissioner reiterates calls for action on forced labour after food fraud investigation

Australian Anti-Slavery Commissioner, Chris Evans, says the ABC’s Four Corners investigation into food fraud has raised fresh questions about whether Australia’s modern slavery laws are actually keeping goods made with forced labour out of the country.

“Indisputably we have a problem with product traceability and that’s obscuring forced labour risk in everyday items,” the Commissioner said. “The current reporting obligation under the Modern Slavery Act isn’t fit for purpose.”

“It’s now three years since the independent review found the Act wasn’t working, and a year since Government opened consultation on reform. Australia’s response must be toughened. Australians should know where the food they eat comes from and how it was made.”

The Commissioner welcomed the Government’s recent announcement on a new criminal ‘failure to prevent’ modern slavery offence, with a defence available where a business can prove it took reasonable steps to prevent modern slavery. However, investigations like this demonstrate more could be done.

The Commissioner said, “the Government’s consultations had been focused on measures such as mandatory due diligence and declarations for high-risk products. Their proposal should be strengthened with the addition of these measures to build a more effective regime.”

“A risk-based and proportionate due diligence requirement would help reprioritise effort and level the playing field for the many Australian businesses already doing the right thing.”

“There is an opportunity to make our Modern Slavery Act actually improve the lives of people in conditions of modern slavery and protect consumers from being misled.”

The Office of the Australian Anti-Slavery Commissioner has not independently assessed the specific claims raised in the Four Corners investigation.