International Justice Mission (IJM) Australia congratulates the Albanese Labor Government on its successful re-election to majority government.
IJM Australia CEO David Braga said he looks forward to working with the Government to advance IJM’s mission to protect people in poverty from slavery and violence, particularly in our Indo Pacific region.
“We have worked collaboratively with the Albanese Government over the past three years and look forward to building on this momentum to address modern slavery and human trafficking in our region,” Mr Braga said.
“IJM urges the re-elected Albanese Government to prioritise the delivery of its commitment to legislate a robust digital duty of care as part of a stronger Online Safety Act, that will protect children from online sexual exploitation and abuse on Australian screens.”
Steps must also be taken to alleviate human trafficking and forced labour, to ensure some of the most vulnerable people are protected.
“We extend our congratulations to all successful candidates across the political spectrum. Combatting modern slavery in all its forms should be a non-partisan issue. Australia is uniquely placed in the Indo-Pacific to demonstrate leadership and investment in eradicating one of the greatest threats to security and stability in the region, especially in times of uncertainty,” Mr Braga said.
A Walmart sponsored IJM study in 2022 found that migrant workers in Thailand, Australia’s second largest trading partner in the Asia Pacific, continue to be at risk of trafficking and exploitation, with up to 18% of workers from Cambodia and Myanmar having experienced forced labour.
“As a nation who has always prided itself on being a good neighbour, we should step up our investment in regional anti-slavery programs and strengthen the Modern Slavery Act to include practical and impactful changes to ensure the products we buy in Australia are not tainted with slave labour,” Mr Braga said.
“We keenly await the swearing in of the new Ministry and continuing our advocacy in the 48th Parliament, until all are free.”
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Media: Briony Camp │ [email protected] │ 0468 308 696
