PRESS RELEASE: FIRST OF ITS KIND LAW FIRM LAUNCHED TO HELP BUSINESSES COMPLY WITH NEW AUSTRALIAN MODERN SLAVERY ACTS

FIRST OF ITS KIND LAW FIRM LAUNCHED TO HELP BUSINESSES COMPLY WITH NEW AUSTRALIAN MODERN SLAVERY ACTS

22 March 2019

Today marks the launch of Fair Supply, Australia’s first law firm dedicated exclusively to providing businesses with multidisciplinary and profitable solutions to comply with the NSW and Commonwealth Modern Slavery Acts.

The launch is a significant milestone for Fair Supply Executive Director and Principal Lawyer, Kimberly Randle in her quest to create innovative, wholistic solutions to human rights issues within businesses such as modern slavery.

“Fair Supply is a first of its kind. A unique opportunity exists for Australian businesses to lead the global market in incorporating transparency, humanity and acuity into best business practice. The NSW and Commonwealth Modern Slavery Acts represent significant governmental leadership in combatting modern slavery,” said Ms Randle, who as Senior Director of Corporate and Legal for International Justice Mission Australia, provided evidence for both the NSW and Commonwealth Parliamentary Inquiries into Modern Slavery.

The Commonwealth Modern Slavery Act requires businesses and other organisations with a consolidated revenue over $100 million to report annually on the risk of slavery in their operations and supply chains. The threshold for the NSW Modern Slavery Act is $50 million. They must also speak to the steps they have to address that risk taken and the effectiveness of this response. These statements must be approved by the Board or directors or equivalent and signed by a director. Most recently and in the absence of any released regulations, Kimberly conducted an interview with the Honourable Paul Green, Member of the New South Wales Legislative Committee and author of the Modern Slavery Act NSW on the effect of the legislation. The interview can be found at www.fairsupply.com.au. In the interview it was agreed that purpose driven business was profitable.

Under the Commonwealth Legislation failure to comply may result in the publication of information about the organisations failure to comply including the organisations identity.

The NSW Modern Slavery Act adds a further punitive element: Businesses affected by the NSW Legislation can be fined up to $1.1M for non-compliance.

“Australian businesses now have the opportunity to make good on the leadership exhibited by the government in these Acts,” she said.
“At Fair Supply, we understand that this leadership will demand wisdom and expertise.”

“Fairness is not charity. It’s just good business,” said Ms Randle who began her career at top tier law firms in both Australia and the United States.

Kimberly Randle
Executive Director and Principal Lawyer
FAIR SUPPLY
P. 0477 521 363
W fairsupply.com.au