Advocacting in the Australian Parliament

ACRATH Raises Issues with Government

From 18th – 21st November  ACRATH visited members of the Australian Parliament in Canberra.  During our visit we congratulated Parliament on passing the legislation, Crimes Legislation Amendments (Slavery, Slavery-like Conditions and People Trafficking) Act 2013.  ACRATH advocated for a federal compensation scheme for victims of human trafficking, asked the Australian Government to ensure our Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) reaches 0.5% of our Gross National Income (GNI) by 2015, and 0.7% by 2020 and asked the government to ensure that the supply chain of goods brought into Australia is slave-free.

We took the unusual step of advocating for funding for our own organisation.  Over the last six years ACRATH has been grateful for the grant it has received from the Federal government.  The grant comes to an end on 30th June 2014 and at this stage there is doubt as to whether there will be any further funding.  A number of MPs agreed to contact the Attorney General and the Minister for Justice in support of our funding request.

To download a newsletter on ACRATH’s advocacy visit to Federal Parliament click here.