Australia's determination to play a leading role in eliminating forced labour, modern slavery and human trafficking around the globe is unwavering, Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne has told an event at the United Nations in New York.
Ms Payne, Australia's representative at this week's UN General Assembly attended by 130 world leaders including US President Donald Trump, said Australia had a long track record on funding programs and working to end human slavery.
"Australia is very pleased to join with the United Kingdom and so many other partners in working to end forced labour, modern slavery and human trafficking," Ms Payne told the Stepping Up Action to End Forced Labour, Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking event on Monday in Manhattan.
"We have a long track record of domestic action and leadership of regional and international efforts to eliminate these terrible crimes."
Australia has committed to stamping out modern slavery. Source: SBS
Ms Payne acknowledged her predecessor Julie Bishop's role on the issue, after Ms Bishop gave her assurances Ms Payne would also continue the fight for justice for the families of those who died when Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down over Ukraine in 2014.
The new minister has also named nuclear disarmament, Australia's commitment to the UN's international drug control regime, UN reform and advocacy against the death penalty as her top priorities.
Following the UN meeting, Ms Payne will travel to Washington to meet with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for discussions over "shared economic and security interests".
