Tuesday 24 June 2008
GOVERNMENT CONSULTS ON PEOPLE TRAFFICKING
The Minister for Home Affairs Bob Debus said two days of discussions on Australia's approach to people trafficking had ended in Canberra today.
"People trafficking is a serious crime and a collaborative approach is needed to fight it.
"This is the first time so many government, non-government and industry organisations have come together on this issue.
"NGOs have a wealth of knowledge about victims, as well as ideas for new approaches, so it was important to hear their views.
"Yesterday I chaired the first National Roundtable on People Trafficking comprising Government and non-government agencies and I'm pleased that there was positive feedback on the meeting and some productive outcomes."
The Roundtable included representatives from well established anti-people trafficking NGOs, service providers, victims of crime support organisations as well as the legal, employer and union sectors.
It will provide an ongoing mechanism for consulting, testing and developing Government policy on people trafficking issues.
The meeting identified a number of priorities for future work. This included setting up a Working Group to develop guidelines for community and welfare groups working with trafficked persons.
"Today, the Australian Institute of Criminology held a forum on people trafficking issues to determine priorities for trafficking research and current trends and research.
"Agencies across a number of ministerial portfolios already work closely together, helping to ensure this crime is addressed domestically, regionally and internationally.
"This sort of cooperation is key to keeping trafficking numbers low in Australia and to identify new strategies for potential or emerging issues such as labour trafficking."
Media Contact: Samantha Wills 0448 721 372