Holding Redlich supports Freedom Hub charity to raise awareness about modern slavery and impacts of the modern slavery legislation

With the enactment of modern slavery legislation in NSW in June, Holding Redlich’s Sydney office has partnered with The Freedom Hub, an anti-slavery and trafficking charity, to help raise funds and awareness to reduce the impacts of modern slavery in Australia.

As part of its efforts, Holding Redlich held a staff Friday drinks fundraiser event with the firm matching donations made by staff, raising $460 for The Freedom Hub’s ‘Fivers for Survivors’ initiative. 

The firm also supported The Freedom Hub’s recent Anti-Modern Slavery Ball event, purchasing a table.

Plans for future awareness-raising efforts include running an internal seminar for staff on the new modern slavery legislation, plus a series of external talks on the topic.

This comes as the focus on addressing modern slavery in the business community continues to increase, both domestically and internationally, head of Holding Redlich’s recently launched National Procurement practice group, construction & infrastructure partner Scott Alden said.

“Efforts to eradicate modern slavery are firmly under the spotlight, particularly with legislation currently being debated in Federal Parliament,” Scott said. 

“NSW has already passed the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (NSW), making it the first jurisdiction to enact modern slavery legislation in Australia. This follows similar laws being passed in the UK, the US, France, Netherlands and the EU.

“We are seeing an increasing international and domestic focus on addressing modern slavery in the business community which is a very positive step.”

Scott said the modern slavery legislation is set to have a direct impact on many businesses, particularly in the construction and transport industries.

“Both the NSW Act and Commonwealth Bill impose reporting requirements on commercial entities aimed at increasing transparency and exposing the prevalence of modern slavery in supply chains in a bid to combat modern slavery,” Scott said.

Large penalties will apply under the NSW Act for failing to comply with the reporting requirements.

“These initiatives will see more in the Australian business community taking proactive and effective actions to address modern slavery.”

Both the NSW Act and Commonwealth Bill impose certain obligations on government entities.

Read more here.

Media contact: Hannah Edwards 0403 024 149

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