Modern Slavery Act Review Announced

By Anti-Slavery Taskforce

Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon Jason Wood MP commenced Australia's Modern Slavery Act Review on 31 March and appointed Professor John McMillan AO to lead it over the next 12 months. ACAN looks forward to the opportunity to make a contribution based on the experience of Catholic entities in complying with the Act.

The review is to consider and report on: 

a) the operation of the Act and any rules over the period of 3 years after the Act’s commencement; 

b) compliance with the Act over that period; 

c) whether additional measures to improve compliance with the Act are necessary or desirable, such as civil penalties for failure to comply with the requirements of the Act; 

d) whether a further review of the Act should be undertaken, and if so, when; 

e) whether it is necessary or desirable to do anything else to improve the operation of the Act and any rules; and   

 f) whether the Act should be amended to implement review recommendations. 

The review should also have regard to:  

a) the extent to which the mandatory reporting criteria set out in Section 16 of the Act are appropriate; 

b) the appropriateness of the $100 million reporting entity threshold, reporting periods and reporting deadlines; and 

c) whether it is necessary or desirable for an independent body, such as an Anti-Slavery Commissioner, to oversee the implementation of the Act and/or the enforcement of the Act.