Historic use of parliamentary rule to usher in Modern Slavery Act for NZ
World Vision New Zealand applauds the historic cross-party move to fast-track modern slavery legislation through Parliament.
Today National and Labour announced that they will invoke a never-before-used Parliamentary rule (Standing Order 288 or the Rule of 61) to progress a joint Modern Slavery Bill co-sponsored by National MP Greg Fleming and Labour MP Camilla Belich.
Under the “Rule of 61” any Private Member’s Bill backed by at least two-thirds of backbenchers (61 non-executive members) can automatically progress to first reading in Parliament and bypass the usual ballot process.
World Vision’s Head of Advocacy and Justice Rebekah Armstrong says the bi-partisan decision is momentous. “This is the first time the “Rule of 61” has ever been used in New Zealand and it’s being used for something that really matters – to help end modern slavery. It shows what can happen when our leaders put politics aside and work together to do what’s right.
“After years of advocacy and widespread public support, politicians from across the aisles are finally moving to make modern slavery legislation a reality.
“This move means New Zealand is at last playing its part to help end modern slavery for more than 50 million people worldwidei, including 8,000ii right here in New Zealand,” she says.
The Modern Slavery Bill will introduce:
“Kiwis don’t want to be complicit in exploitation. This new law will require companies to take responsibility and gives New Zealanders confidence that the goods they are buying are slavery-free,” Armstrong says.
She says the progress of the bill is a testament to the ongoing support and willingness to work together of both Fleming and Belich, as well as the persistent advocacy of Non-Government Organisations.
She says the New Zealand business community, local and international investors, and the broader New Zealand public have also continually called for modern slavery laws and will welcome this latest move.
“At the end of last year, investors and businesses accounting for more than $215 billion in funds joined calls for the introduction of modern slavery legislation, while a poll in 2023 found that 80% of New Zealanders wanted such legislation.
“It’s reassuring to see that the issue of modern slavery isn’t going to stagnate for another election cycle and that Parliament will work to address an issue of such immense importance,” Armstrong says.
World Vision is keen to see the first reading of the new bill in Parliament early in the new year and is hopeful the new legislation will be in place before this year’s election.
You can read the draft bill here.
Today National and Labour announced that they will invoke a never-before-used Parliamentary rule (Standing Order 288 or the Rule of 61) to progress a joint Modern Slavery Bill co-sponsored by National MP Greg Fleming and Labour MP Camilla Belich.
Under the “Rule of 61” any Private Member’s Bill backed by at least two-thirds of backbenchers (61 non-executive members) can automatically progress to first reading in Parliament and bypass the usual ballot process.
World Vision’s Head of Advocacy and Justice Rebekah Armstrong says the bi-partisan decision is momentous. “This is the first time the “Rule of 61” has ever been used in New Zealand and it’s being used for something that really matters – to help end modern slavery. It shows what can happen when our leaders put politics aside and work together to do what’s right.
“After years of advocacy and widespread public support, politicians from across the aisles are finally moving to make modern slavery legislation a reality.
“This move means New Zealand is at last playing its part to help end modern slavery for more than 50 million people worldwidei, including 8,000ii right here in New Zealand,” she says.
The Modern Slavery Bill will introduce:
- Mandatory reporting: requiring businesses and other entities with a consolidated revenue of more than $100 million to prepare, submit, and publish public annual modern slavery statements which detail incidents, risks, due diligence, remediation, complaints, and training across operations and supply chains.
- Greater transparency and accountability: through an online public register of modern slavery statements, and annual reports detailing incidents, risk trends, offences, and civil penalties.
- Enhanced support for victims: through requirements to guide government agency support, improve victim identification, and the services available to trafficking survivors.
- Improved national data collection to track the scale of modern slavery, along with a regular review to strengthen modern slavery legislation in New Zealand.
“Kiwis don’t want to be complicit in exploitation. This new law will require companies to take responsibility and gives New Zealanders confidence that the goods they are buying are slavery-free,” Armstrong says.
She says the progress of the bill is a testament to the ongoing support and willingness to work together of both Fleming and Belich, as well as the persistent advocacy of Non-Government Organisations.
She says the New Zealand business community, local and international investors, and the broader New Zealand public have also continually called for modern slavery laws and will welcome this latest move.
“At the end of last year, investors and businesses accounting for more than $215 billion in funds joined calls for the introduction of modern slavery legislation, while a poll in 2023 found that 80% of New Zealanders wanted such legislation.
“It’s reassuring to see that the issue of modern slavery isn’t going to stagnate for another election cycle and that Parliament will work to address an issue of such immense importance,” Armstrong says.
World Vision is keen to see the first reading of the new bill in Parliament early in the new year and is hopeful the new legislation will be in place before this year’s election.
You can read the draft bill here.