Religious groups call on Australia to prevent modern slavery

Eighteen national faith leaders are calling on the federal government to legislate to discourage slavery-like conditions in Australia and its trading partners. Writing as the Australian Freedom Network, they're asking the government and business leaders to support a Modern Slavery Act. The open letter comes from leaders of 18 faith groups including Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu and Jewish. It expresses concerns about the welfare and human rights of thousands of migrant workers who are either at risk of, or are already experiencing, forced labour in Australia. They're calling on the leadership of government, business and civil society to focus on eradicating contemporary forms of slavery, such as trafficking in people, sexual exploitation, child labour and forced marriage. Jenny Stanger is National Manager of the Salvation Army's Freedom Partnership to End Modern Slavery. She says official government statistics estimate around 500 people were identified to be in slavery in Australia over the past decade. But the Global Slavery Index has assessed around 4,300 people are currently in slavery in Australia.

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