We have applied the founding principles upon which our university was established to managed our ethical engagement and sustainability of relationships with both domestic and international suppliers:
- equity and social justice
- opportunity
- sustainability
- global responsibility.
The approach we have taken in identifying and addressing modern slavery is risk-based and developed in consideration to industry type and geographic location.
What is modern slavery?
Modern Slavery Act 2018 - The Commonwealth Modern Slavery ACT 2018 (MSA) entered into force on 1 January 2019. The MSA has established a national Modern Slavery Reporting Requirement for over 3,000 large business and other entities in the Australian Market.
The term modern slavery is used to describe situations where coercion, threats or deception are used to exploit victims and undermine or deprive them of their freedom. Modern slavery is only used to describe serious exploitation. It does not include practices like substandard working conditions or underpayment of workers. However, these practices are also illegal and harmful and may be present in some situations of modern slavery.
Practices that constitute modern slavery can include:
- human trafficking
- slavery
- servitude
- forced labour
- debt bondage
- forced marriage, and
- the worst forms of child labour
Modern slavery statement
The Act requires Murdoch University to prepare an annual modern slavery statement explaining how we are assessing and addressing modern slavery risks in our operations and supply chains.
Vendors are required to provide their modern slavery statement or complete a questionnaire which will assist Murdoch University with this endeavour and forms an important part of the university efforts to combat modern slavery risks.
Modern slavery questionnaire
This is a confidential questionnaire for suppliers of goods and services to Murdoch University and our subsidiaries. It is a tool to assist us and our suppliers to:
- identify and assess possible modern slavery risks in Murdoch University procurements
- identify mitigation efforts to combat the risk of modern slavery in Murdoch University procurements
- foster collaboration between Murdoch University and its suppliers to address these risks.
Further information on identifying and assessing modern slavery risks in supply chains and operations can be found in Australian Government’s Commonwealth Modern Slavery Act 2018 – Guidance for Reporting Entities.
