Modern slavery perpetrators stripped of assets

The Australian Anti-Slavery Commissioner commends the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and its Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce (CACT) for securing the forfeiture of assets linked to one of Australia’s most severe cases of modern slavery.

The successful forfeiture of a Mount Waverley property and additional financial penalties against the offenders represents a rare and effective use of the Commonwealth’s Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Cth) to ensure offenders cannot profit from human exploitation.

A Victorian couple, convicted in 2021 of enslaving a woman for eight years, have had approximately $475,000 in proceeds from the sale of their home forfeited and were ordered to pay a combined $140,000 in penalties. 
The Australian Anti-Slavery Commissioner said this case shows both the strength and potential of Australia’s proceeds of crime framework for victim redress.

“The AFP and CACT should be commended for pursuing this matter and ensuring that the perpetrators pay the financial cost of their crimes,” said Chris Evans, Australian Anti-Slavery Commissioner. “Modern slavery is a crime in which perpetrators often receive significant financial gain at the expense of the people they exploit – it is critical that law enforcement target and recover that gain.”

The Commissioner also welcomed the payment of $485,000 received by the victim in 2023, following a first-of-its-kind order from then Attorney-General, Mark Dreyfus KC. “Too often, survivors of forced labour and servitude are unable to access compensation. This case shows that justice is possible when law enforcement agencies are coordinated and prioritise financial investigations, and when victims are well supported and connected to quality legal representation.”