The Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee invited Anti-Slavery Australia to provide a submission in respect of the Crimes Legislation Amendment (International Crime Cooperation and Other Measures) Bill 2016.
Anti-Slavery Australia supports the introduction of the Crimes Legislation Amendment (International Crime Cooperation and Other Measures) Bill 2016, in particular Schedules 5 and 6. Schedule 5 strengthens the protection available to vulnerable witnesses and complainants who give evidence in a criminal trial relating to human trafficking and slavery. Schedule 6 expands the meaning of debt bondage in Divisions 270 and 271 of the Criminal Code Act 1995. Anti-Slavery Australia commends the proposed amendments under Schedules 5 and 6 and submits that these amendments will improve protections for vulnerable witnesses and complainants.