COFFS Harbour Councillor, Tony Judge and Nambucca Valley Councillor, Ljubov Simson, joined a delegation of Mid North Coast Councillors and community leaders that accompanied Anti-slavery Commissioner, Dr James Cockayne, in a recent visit to NSW Parliament.
They met with a Parliamentary Committee and MPs to argue for urgent legislation to regulate labour hire in NSW, preferably before the State Election in March 2027.
“The Anti-slavery Commissioner’s submission on modern slavery detailed the extent of the problem and the damage being done to people who have come into our community to work in the horticulture industry,” Coffs Harbour Councillor, Tony Judge said.
“It is a moral imperative that we act urgently to stop the exploitation and misery that those people are suffering.
“The Anti-slavery Commissioner has provided a discussion paper and a draft Bill to legislate the regulation of labour hire in NSW.
“With the support of parliamentarians, a version of that Bill could be passed before Parliament is dissolved prior to the election.
“The Commissioner has laid the groundwork.
“Now we need action from our elected representatives.”
Cr Judge said the matter was not about politics.
“It’s about doing the right thing by the people we rely on to work on the farms that provide our fresh fruit and vegetables,” Cr Judge said.
“Every person who comes to work in Australia should be treated with dignity, paid lawfully and provided with a safe workplace.
“It is imperative that the government, the opposition and the crossbench work together to get this done urgently.
“Labor MLC, Sarah Kaine has already proposed a private members Bill to progress legislation.
“Others just have to get on board.”
Nambucca Valley Councillor, Ljubov Simson said that it was “gobsmacking” that NSW did not have a labour hire licensing scheme already, leaving workers fully exposed to rogue operators and human rights abuses.
“I fail to see why ending worker exploitation, modern slavery and human rights abuse is not the No1 priority for any Parliament,” Cr Simson said.
“There is no reason outside of the electoral politics timeline why a Labour Hire Licensing Bill could not be passed in the current term.
“The Commissioner’s draft Labour Hire Licensing Bill (NSW) provides comprehensive coverage of all aspects of labour hire and host accountability.
“I call on our local members Michael Kemp MP and Gurmesh Singh MP to support tabling the Bill and getting this legislation across the line in the current term as a priority for our local communities across the Coffs Coast.’
Cr Judge summed up the view of the group about the urgency of getting labour hire legislation in place in this term of Parliament: “If stopping slavery is not at the top of the agenda for parliamentarians, what does that say about political and moral leadership in our State?
“The time to act is now.
“No more delays and no more excuses, because there is no justification for slavery.”
Dr Cockayne said that the door to the NSW labour hire market was wide open – even to crooks.
“The absence of labour hire licensing in NSW harms workers, legitimate businesses, and the state budget,” Dr Cockayne said.
“The case for reform is clear and there is a draft bill ready to go.
“The time for Government and Parliament to act is right now.”
By Andrew VIVIAN
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