29th Parliamentary-Intelligence Security Forum – Stopping Trafficking in Businesses and Supply Chains

Senator Reynolds began by highlighting the link between human trafficking and national security, particularly in relation to China. Drawing on her experience as Australia’s defense minister, she emphasized that authoritarian states including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea share a common enemy in democracy and exploit human life for profit, showing no respect for human rights.

She noted that modern slavery is widespread, with over 50 million people exploited globally, including forced labor in supply chains for critical minerals, solar panels, electric vehicles, and other new energy technologies. Reynolds stressed that these practices are not only profitable but also strategic, giving authoritarian powers economic leverage and control over global markets.

She called for ethical sourcing, public awareness, and citizen mobilization to combat slavery, citing Australia’s modern slavery legislation as a step forward, though she noted compliance often remains superficial. Reynolds urged parliamentarians to prioritize human life alongside environmental concerns, advocate for ethically sourced supply chains, and empower citizens to recognize and act against exploitation.

Her final message was clear: stop turning away, call out human trafficking and slavery, and build partnerships to address this global challenge an actionable step within the power of lawmakers and citizens alike.