Dr. James Cockayne, the NSW anti-slavery commissioner, has praised the state government’s plan to draft labour hire licensing legislation within 100 days of its potential re-election. The proposed law will require host companies to utilise only licensed labour hire operators, with criminal penalties for non-compliance, as outlined in a media release from his office.

A step forward in the fight against modern slavery

According to the Office of the NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner, the legislation aims to protect workers from “crooks” and “dodgy operators” involved in modern slavery. Cockayne welcomed the announcement, specifically commending Premier Minns and Minister Cotsis for their leadership. He emphasized that this commitment follows years of advocacy by unions, workers, survivors, faith groups, civil society actors, and responsible businesses.

Cockayne likewise praised the establishment of an all-party Parliamentary Friendship Group Against Modern Slavery in New South Wales. The group’s leaders included representatives from the crossbench (Dr Joe McGirr, independent Wagga Wagga member of Parliament and chair of the NSW Parliament’s Modern Slavery Committee), NSW Labor (Dr Sarah Kaine MLC), NSW Liberals, the Nationals, and the Greens. Apart from McGirr, they included Courtney Houssos MLC, NSW minister for finance and for domestic manufacturing and government procurement; Gurmesh Singh MP, deputy leader of the Opposition, leader of the Nationals, and member for Coffs Harbour; and Ben Franklin MLC, president of the NSW Legislative Council.

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Collaborative efforts to combat modern slavery

Cockayne expressed enthusiasm for working with the parliamentary group to assist the estimated 16,000 victims of modern slavery in NSW and address the $9.6 billion financial impact on the state. He plans to engage with stakeholders in rural and regional areas, including visits to Dubbo, Tamworth, Armidale, the Mid-North Coast, and the Central Coast. During these visits, he will share new resources to help healthcare workers identify and address modern slavery cases.

These efforts align with broader initiatives, such as the federal government’s public consultation, which closes on 25 September 2026. The consultation seeks to strengthen the modern slavery framework, including a proposed criminal offence for companies failing to prevent modern slavery in international supply chains.

Ongoing advocacy and recognition

Cockayne’s work builds on years of advocacy by diverse groups, including survivors and faith communities. The Victorian bar’s recognition of Fiona McLeod in March 2025 with the 10th Pro Bono Trophy shows the importance of such efforts. McLeod was honored for her pro bono advocacy in tackling modern slavery, human trafficking, and advancing justice for First Nations communities.