Anne McEwen (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, I present the report on the inquiry into slavery, slavery-like conditions and people trafficking. I seek leave to move a motion in relation to the report.

Leave granted.

I move:

That the Senate take note of the report.

I seek leave to have the tabling statement incorporated in Hansard.

Leave granted.

The statement read as follows—

JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DEFENCE AND TRADE

Trading Lives: Modern Day Human Trafficking

Tabling Speech

Senate

24 June 2013

Mr President, on behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, it gives me great pleasure to present the Committee's report on Australia's efforts to address slavery, slavery-like conditions and trafficking in persons.

Trafficking in persons, slavery and slavery-like practices is an egregious violation of an individual's human rights. Trafficking and slavery victims are exploited physically, emotionally and mentally and the effects of this trauma can be long lasting and destructive.

There are an estimated 20 million victims of forced labour globally. The annual profit made from these victims is estimated at 32 million US dollars. That is a profit of thirteen thousand dollars US for each woman, man and child trafficked into forced labour.

Nationally, Australia can provide greater support for victims of trafficking. The Committee recommends that suspected victims of trafficking be provided an initial automatic reflection period of 45 days with two further extensions of 45 days if required and that the

Australian Government further investigate the establishment of a federal compensation scheme for victims of slavery and trafficking in persons.

Internationally, Australia can increase its engagement on this important issue. The Committee recommends that the Australian Government continue to participate in international mechanisms focussed on eliminating people trafficking such as the United Nations Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review.

To combat trafficking in global supply chains the Committee recommends that the Australian Government investigate anti-trafficking and anti-slavery mechanisms appropriate for the Australian context with a view to creating a greater awareness of forced labour in global supply chains.

Question agreed to.