Statement in relation to the living arrangements and working conditions of people at Arrawarra Caravan Park

13 July 2023

The NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner, Dr James Cockayne, today said he will be contacting relevant parties about the living arrangements and working conditions of people residing at Arrawarra Caravan Park, near Coffs Harbour, New South Wales.

"Information shared with me raises concerns about possible indicators of forced labour or other forms of modern slavery. Based on this information, and my functions under the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (NSW), I will be contacting relevant bodies to ensure these concerns are effectively addressed and the rights and welfare of all concerned are safeguarded," said Dr Cockayne.  

The Commissioner invites anyone from the Little Arrawarra and Coffs Harbour area communities with relevant information to contact him confidentially via antislavery@justice.nsw.gov.au. 

The International Labour Organization sets out 11 indicators of forced labour, including abuse of vulnerability, deception, restriction of movement, isolation, intimidation and threats, debt bondage, and abusive living conditions.

The NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner's functions and powers in dealing with such matters are defined by the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (NSW). 

The functions of the Anti-slavery Commissioner include:

•  Advocating for and promoting action to combat modern slavery
• Identifying and providing assistance and support for victims of modern slavery
• Making recommendations and providing information, advice, education and training about action to prevent, detect, investigate and prosecute offences involving modern slavery
• Co-operating with or working jointly with persons and organisations to combat modern slavery and to provide assistance and support to victims of modern slavery
• Monitoring the effectiveness of legislation and governmental policies and action in combating modern slavery
• Raising community awareness of modern slavery.

These functions may be exercised with respect to any government agency, person, matter or thing. 

The Commissioner does not generally have the function of investigating or dealing directly with the complaints or concerns of individual cases and does not resolve specific cases. 

However, the Commissioner is specifically empowered by the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (NSW) to provide individuals and their families, friends and advocates with information about and referral to government and non-government programs and services. 

The Modern Slavery Act 2018 (NSW) also requires government agencies, and persons and bodies that provide services to, or advocate for, victims of modern slavery to work in co-operation with the Anti-slavery Commissioner. This includes a duty to disclose information that is likely to be of assistance to in the exercise of the Commissioner's functions, and to provide reasonable assistance. 

More information about the NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner is available at the Anti-slavery Commissioner page. 

The Anti-slavery Commissioner's Strategic Plan 2023-2026, Working Together for Real Freedom, is available at the Office of the NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner website.

The International Labour Organization's Indicators of Forced Labour are set out at: ILO indicators of forced labour.