TESTING AUSTRALIA ’ S MODERN SLAVERY ACT EFFECTIVENESS
UNSW RESEARCH
In 2018 , Australia introduced the Modern Slavery Act which requires businesses to report on their risks of modern slavery in their operations and supply chains .
The Act is one of a growing number of national regulatory regimes that seek to address corporate human rights breaches in supply chains . This project will improve the understanding of modern slavery risks in global supply chains by identifying and better understanding which sectors have a high risk of modern slavery , and how risk factors differ across sectors .
THE KALDOR CENTRE DATA LAB
UNSW RESEARCH
100 INNOVATIONS AND CAPABILITIES
The projects 2022 report , Paper Promises : Evaluating the early impact of Australia ’ s Modern Slavery Act , called on the Australian government to strengthen Australia ’ s modern slavery laws after their investigations found that , despite a large number of companies reporting , most are failing to identify obvious risks of forced labour in their supply chains or take action to address them .
> This project received a two-year grant from the Australian Commonwealth Government for research into modern slavery .
> The research team consists of a coalition of 5 universities , 3 NGOs and 20 UNSW students .
Statistics can ’ t tell us everything – but they can help to build a much-needed evidence base for better decision-making in our courts and tribunals . We need to ensure fairness for all , especially for people seeking protection , where the stakes are so high .
The Kaldor Centre Data Lab – a first in Australia – uses data to examine decision-making in Australia ’ s refugee legal system . Data reveals trends otherwise unnoticed . This work , still in its early stages , already uncovers patterns in the potentially life-or-death outcomes for refugees , such as showing that someone ’ s success in seeking protection varies between 0 – 93 per cent depending on who hears their case .
The Kaldor Centre will link other pioneering data-driven legal labs around the world . As TKC builds a tech team around this project , it can dig deeper into court data , to combat bias and bottlenecks – and to enhance democracy and public trust in our institutions .
> It will provide initial recommendations to the Australian Government on how to strengthen legislation on modern slavery reporting .
> Recognised as a vital approach by the Australian Law Reform Commission .
> Can be scaled to cover other courts and tribunals and other areas of law .
> Reform Commission Generated interest in tribunals and could be extended to other courts .
> Can drive consistency , fairness , efficiency and public confidence in the legal system .
> Can battle bias and boost democracy .
• 43