Ministerial meeting of the national roundtable on human trafficking and slavery

Good morning and welcome to the 2025 Ministerial meeting of the National Roundtable on Human Trafficking and Slavery.

I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we meet today and pay my respects to Elders, past and present. I also extend that respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people joining you today.

I regret that I could not attend today’s roundtable in person; however, I am honoured to be here virtually to reaffirm the Government’s commitment to addressing modern slavery, and to emphasise the importance of working in partnership with the community and people with lived experience. This is imperative to our efforts to raise awareness of modern slavery, protect and support those in or at risk, prosecute perpetrators and empower survivors.

I thank the Honourable Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for Social Services, for her attendance. I acknowledge her unwavering support to address modern slavery, as evident from her commitment to enhance programs to support vulnerable cohorts.  

I also acknowledge the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Honourable Penny Wong, who is represented today by Ms Jane Duke, Ambassador to Counter Modern Slavery, People Smuggling and Human Trafficking. 

I welcome Mr Chris Evans, the Australian Anti-Slavery Commissioner, Dr James Cockayne (CO-cane), the NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner, and members of the pilot Survivor Advisory Council established by the Salvation Army with support from the Modern Slavery Grants program. 

This is my first National Roundtable meeting since I commenced in the role of Attorney-General in May this year.

I am proud to reflect on some of our significant achievements over the past year. I recognise the impact of the valuable work led by my predecessor, the Honourable Mark Dreyfus MP, who, like me, is deeply committed to Australia’s response to modern slavery.

With the National Action Plan to Combat Modern Slavery 2020-25 concluding later this month, I thank you for your long-standing collaboration to address modern slavery in Australia and abroad.

As you would know, over the last two decades, our operational landscape has shifted significantly. All of you – the community, businesses and states and territories – play an increasingly important role in the frontline response to modern slavery. 

Partnerships underpin our national response.  It’s time we consider how to effectively harness and integrate initiatives across portfolios, sectors and jurisdictions.

Ongoing leadership from the Government is vital to guide our future collective response. Next year, I will reflect on how to fulfil this strategic leadership role, in consultation with the Australian Anti-Slavery Commissioner and with the benefit of the Australian Institute of Criminology’s evaluation of the current National Action Plan.

One of the deliverables under the Plan was to review the terms of reference and membership of the National Roundtable. I would like to thank members for their collaboration on this review.

It is my privilege to formally welcome our new members - the Australian Anti-Slavery Commissioner, the NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner, the International Justice Mission and Life Without Barriers. I am pleased that going forward, the Roundtable will include representation from states and territories and people with lived experience. 

I would also like to welcome our invited guests from intersecting sectors and policy domains participating in various sessions today. Our strengthened partnership ensures we can better address current and emerging forms of modern slavery.

At the last ministerial meeting of the National Roundtable, my predecessor appointed Mr Chris Evans as Australia’s inaugural Anti-Slavery Commissioner. 

Mr Evans’ appointment delivered on our government’s commitment to strengthen Australia’s response to modern slavery. Mr Evans will share his insights from what I can assure you, has been a productive first year. 

Recently, I attended the official launch of the Commissioner’s Strategic Plan for 2025-2028, titled Building Australia’s Ambition and Impact: Strengthening the response to modern slavery. 

The launch brought together government agencies, civil society, industry partners, First Nations leaders, survivors and community groups. 

The Commissioner’s Strategic Plan provides a clear and cohesive framework that unites our efforts, ensuring we move forward together with purpose, resolve and dedication. 

The Government will work alongside the Australian Anti-Slavery Commissioner, ensuring a coordinated approach where responsibilities are shared and efforts are amplified across sectors.

Last year, the Government released its response to the review of the Modern Slavery Act, led by Professor John McMillan AO. The Government agreed in full, in part, or in principle, to 25 of the 30 recommendations.

In July this year, the Government also commenced public consultation on the operation of the Modern Slavery Act, covering several recommendations including strengthening the current compliance and enforcement framework and enhancing the mandatory reporting criteria.

I would like to thank members of the Roundtable who have engaged with the consultations to date. 

A second stage of consultations commenced in November 2025 to discuss the feedback received and explore recommendations relating to due diligence obligations and declarations of high modern slavery risk matters.

These consultations will inform the development of balanced measures to support and incentivise Australian businesses to take actions to combat modern slavery risks in their supply chains. 

The Government is committed to strengthening Australia’s response to modern slavery, including forced labour, both at home and abroad. 

One way we’re contributing to this important work is by conducting an audit of the Commonwealth’s procurement procedures and supply chains to ensure we are leading by example and not importing goods made by forced labour. 

The independent audit is due to be completed in 2026, with findings to be published in the 2025-26 Commonwealth Modern Slavery Statement.

Australia was recently recognised as one of 33 countries to achieve a Tier One ranking in the US Department of State 2025 Trafficking in Persons Report – the 21st consecutive year that Australia maintained this ranking.

The Report positively noted Australia’s sustained efforts to prevent modern slavery, protect victims, prosecute perpetrators and build effective partnerships domestically and internationally. That is testament to the work of everyone here today. 

Let me close by thanking each of you for your dedication to ending modern slavery wherever it occurs. 

Your work across government, civil society, industry and lived-experience leadership continues to drive meaningful change. 

I wish you well for the important discussions ahead.