Aid agency calls on Australia to show leadership on human trafficking

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

At the federal government’s National Roundtable on Human Trafficking today, Australia’s largest aid agency will urge the government to step up its efforts to combat human trafficking through the appointment of an Australian Ambassador for Trafficking in Persons.

World Vision Australia’s CEO Tim Costello said at least 12.3 million adults and children globally were trapped in forced labour, bonded labour and sex trafficking situations.

“Human trafficking is a hideous and constantly evolving crime,” Mr Costello said.

“There must be vigilant government and non-government responses to prevent future cases of trafficking in persons, to better protect and secure justice for victims and to end the widespread impunity of offenders.

“World Vision has released a briefing paper today calling for an Australian Ambassador for Trafficking in Persons and will present the paper at today’s roundtable.”

Mr Costello said while the government should be commended for the financial and political support it has provided to combat trafficking in the region, more could still be done.

“Australia is lagging behind other countries who have already appointed an Ambassador or Coordinator to inform and lead their approach to combat human trafficking,” he said.

“The appointment of an Ambassador will enhance Australia’s reputation on the international stage and show other countries we are serious about the issue. It will also help us have more influence when the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) develops a binding agreement on trafficking, which World Vision believes will happen soon.

“In addition, an Ambassador will ensure an industry expert is available to multiple government departments at all times and will cancel out the need to hire expensive consultants. A centralised role will also limit the risk of policy gaps and will make sure the government’s approach is comprehensive and effective.”

World Vision’s Trafficking in Persons Advisor Melissa Stewart will be attending the government’s roundtable today and said the Ambassador would help the government develop a more comprehensive response to trafficking.

“The government needs to take the lessons we have learnt from the last 10 years of fighting human trafficking, revise our approach and create a more sophisticated, ‘second generation’ response to the issue,” she said.

“We need to improve victim identification, offer victims appropriate compensation, develop coordinated regional responses to trafficking and provide informed training and support to help prosecute offenders.

“We also need to differentiate between people smuggling and trafficking and make sure communities are aware that trafficking is the exploitation of people and a violation of their human rights, it is not just the transportation of people.”

Ends

Tim Costello and Melissa Stewart are available for media interviews.

Please contact Sacha Myers on 03 9287 2359 or 0457 926 018 to arrange interviews or to request a copy of the briefing paper.

Media Releases, Human trafficking, Asia and the Pacific, Australian Government, Child Slavery, Human trafficking, Tim Costello

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