Corporate obligations on the Australian finance sector in relation to the Modern Slavery Act

RMIT Researchers

• Olivia Dean
• Assoc Prof Shelley Marshall
• Prof. Roslyn Russell

Project Description

This doctoral project analyses the role of Australia's banking sector in addressing and eliminating modern slavery in its operations and supply chains.  It explores the corporate, ESG obligations on Australian banks in relation to the Modern Slavery Act, including governance and non-financial risk reporting, with a focus on 'social' risks. It explains that Australia's banking sector is exposed to risks of human rights through operations, supply chains and business relationships in lending, financing, credit, insurance, investing, use of banking facilities, exposure to financial crime such as money laundering and counter terrorism financing, and through offshoring and outsourcing. Leading practice of the UK financial sector is analysed to draw 'lessons learned' for Australia's banks, as they prepare to report under the Modern Slavery Act and embark on the process of 'doing' human rights due diligence.  This study critically questions what is effective regulation, and effective sanctions in relation to financial misconduct and this research will inform the Australian Government when it undertakes public consultation for the statutory review of the Modern Slavery Act in 2022.

Themes

Labour in Supply Chains, Digital Technologies

Key Words

Banks, Modern Slavery, Business and Human Rights, Human Rights Due Diligence, Responsible Lending and Investment, Money Laundering, Effective regulation

Funding Sources

Australian Government RTP Support Scholarship