Australia
Australia is a destination country for women trafficked for the purposes of
commercial sexual exploitation and forced labour.
Prevention:
In 2007 the Australian Government announced AUD 38.3 million
over four years to be spent on anti-trafficking measures. In 2008 the
Australian Government established the National Roundtable on People Trafficking
(NRPT) to strengthen Australia’s response through a partnership between the
government and non-government organisations. STOP THE TRAFFIK Australia is
calling on the Australian Government to provide an annual contribution of USD
2.1 million to the International Program for the Elimination of Child labour
(IPEC).
Prosecution:
In 2005 the Federal Parliament made people trafficking and
debt bondage crimes under Australian law. In 2006 the Government announced AUD
21 million over five years to help combat human trafficking in Asia, through
the establishment of the Asia Regional Trafficking In People (ARTIP)
initiative. ARTIP aims to strengthen specialist and general law enforcement,
judicial and prosecutorial responses to trafficking. STOP THE TRAFFIK Australia
is calling on the Australian Government to ease the ability of trafficking
victims to testify in court proceedings against traffickers.
Protection:
In 2009 the Federal Government announced that an initial
support package of 45 days would apply to all trafficking survivors. This will
be extended for a further 45 days for those survivors willing but unable to
assist the police. Any trafficking victim who makes a “contribution” to a
trafficking related prosecution will be entitled to permanent residency. STOP
THE TRAFFIK Australia is calling on the Australian Government to further
enhance its response by allowing trafficking victims equal access to victim
compensation, and by using, where appropriate, civil society networks for
sensitive repatriation of trafficking survivors.
Developments:
In 2008 the Australian Government announced AUD 1 million for
four non-government organisations to conduct outreach and awareness raising
activities on anti-trafficking issues.