In her preliminary report released on 30 November 2011, Ms Ezeilo said that ‘Australia has demonstrated strong leadership in combating trafficking in persons regionally and domestically, however it needs to devote greater attention to the rights and needs of victims.’

Ms Ezeilo highlighted the need to improve support services, including accommodation, legal assistance and counselling services, to suspected victims of trafficking and to de-link government support from participation in criminal justice processes. She also praised the recent release of an exposure Bill to expand the definition of trafficking to better address labour exploitation and forced marriage.

Ms Ezilo also expressed her concern about ‘the possibility of trafficked persons including children being arrested, detained for long periods and deported for breach of migration regulations without proper identification especially given the strong migration control policy of Australian government.’

A full report of the Special Rapporteur’s mission will be submitted to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2012.

RACHEL BALL is Director of Policy and Campaigns with the Human Rights Law Centre.