This article was written by Daniel Fielding and Daisy Mallett.
Online Register of Modern Slavery Statements Launched
The Australian Government's Online Register of Modern Slavery Statements (Online Register) is now available (Modern Slavery Register), with the first Australian companies having now published their Modern Slavery Statements including household names such as Qantas.
The Online Register will act as a central website for all modern slavery statements.
Businesses required to report under the Modern Slavery Act, or entities that wish to voluntarily report can now submit their modern slavery statements to the Online Register for review and publication by the Australian Border Force. The Australian Border Force is expecting the first tranche of statements to be available on the Online Register from August 2020.
Reminder – Deadlines for submitting statements extended
As previously reported, for businesses who are required to submit their first modern slavery statement in Australia this year, there has been a three-month extension of time to submit these statements due to disruptions caused by coronavirus (COVID-19).
This means that for businesses that were required to file by 30 September 2020, they now have until 31 December 2020, and for businesses that were required to file by 31 December 2020, they now have until 31 March 2021. There has been no change to the deadline for submitting modern slavery statements due in 2021.
Reporting period |
Original deadline for submitting your modern slavery statement |
New deadline for submitting your modern slavery statement |
1 April 2019 – 31 March 2020 (Foreign Financial Year) |
30 September 2020 |
31 December 2020 |
1 July 2019 – 30 June 2020 |
31 December 2020 |
31 March 2021 |
Reporting periods ending after 30 June 2020 i.e. 1 January – 31 December 2020 (Calendar Year) |
The six-month deadline for reporting periods ending after 30 June 2020 remains unchanged i.e. no later than 30 June 2021. |
|
This extension only alters the deadline for submitting statements in 2020 and does not provide for a similar extension for any subsequent years.
What should businesses be doing?
Despite the extended deadlines for some of the reporting periods and any COVID-19 related disruptions, businesses are expected to have implemented, or currently be implementing, programs to address modern slavery risks within their respective reporting periods.
How we can help
KWM can work with you to:
- identify modern slavery risks in your supply chains;
- develop internal anti-slavery policies and frameworks;
- consider and amend your procurement agreements;
- develop due diligence, culture and corporate governance guidelines;
- conduct awareness seminars for boards, executives, legal and procurement teams; and
- assist with preparing, drafting, or reviewing your modern slavery statements.
