Modern Slavery Discussion Panel Event

Thursday 7 February 2019 | 5:45 p.m. for 6 p.m. start- concludes 8:30 p.m.
Venue: Dentons – Level 16, 77 Castlereagh Street Sydney NSW 2000 l Map

RSVP to register for this event, please email us your name and company details at: pitnsw@gmail.com

Professionals in International Trade have partnered with Dentons Lawyers Network and the French Australian Lawyers Society to host this event regarding Modern Slavery. Many people do not know that slavery happens in Australia, however, sadly it does!

It is important to acknowledge that Modern Slavery is a local and global issue. Register to join us for an evening of discussion about the significance of the new Modern Slavery legislation and how the changes will impact anyone doing business in Australia.

Both the NSW State Government and the Commonwealth Government have recently taken legislative action to combat modern slavery in Australia. In New South Wales (NSW), the Modern Slavery Act 2018 was passed on 21 June 2018, with the Commonwealth Government following suit with the Modern Slavery Bill 2018, recently passed on 29 November 2018.

This legislation is an important step in the road to eliminate modern slavery in Australia, compelling companies to recognise real and potential modern slavery both in their own businesses and in their supply chains. It is also the latest in a number of significant developments globally that encourage or require businesses to consider the human rights impacts of their business and operations – both domestically and internationally.

Speakers & Panelists

Alison Elliott
Alison is a Senior Policy Advisor at UNICEF Australia and is a lawyer by training. She leads UNICEF Australia’s policy and advocacy work regarding children’s rights and business, as well as justice for children. Prior to joining UNICEF Australia, Alison worked in the Corporate Responsibility Team at DLA Piper UK where she was UK Pro Bono Manager. She has also worked as Associate to the past President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, The Hon. Catherine Branson QC.

Amy Sinclair
Amy is a lawyer, researcher and adviser working in the nonprofit sector to advance respect for human rights in business. She is the Regional Representative for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific at the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, a global NGO tracking the human rights policies and performance of companies worldwide. Amy has been at the forefront of recent business and human rights developments in Australia, including moves to establish a Modern Slavery Act requiring large companies to report publicly on their actions to address modern slavery. Amy is a former corporate lawyer and practiced with major international legal practices in Australia and the UK.

Nicole D’Souza
Nicole D’Souza is the Ethical Sourcing Manager for Konica Minolta Business Solutions Australia Pty Ltd. She is an experienced government, regulatory, employment and litigation lawyer and domestic and international human rights advocate who has worked in Australia, Hong Kong, London and Geneva. As part of her Master of Laws specialising in human rights and international law, Nicole conducted field studies in Nepal looking at modern slavery and labour exploitation. In 2018, Konica Minolta was the recipient of the Australian Human Rights Award for Business, awarded by the Australian Human Rights Commission. The Award recognised Konica Minolta’s efforts in ethical sourcing, its advocacy in relation to the modern slavery legislation, its gender and diversity and inclusion policies, including on domestic and family violence, and ongoing commitment to indigenous procurement.

We hope you can join us for our first event!