NSW MP Hugh McDermott, the Member for Prospect in Sydney’s West has launched one of the first NSW parliamentary ePetitions, calling on the NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and the NSW Government to take immediate steps to proclaim the Modern Slavery Act 2018.
In a message to Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, Mr McDermott explained, “As a Catholic, eradicating modern slavery and ensuring all people can live safe and secure lives, free from harm, is a human rights issue that I feel compelled to fight for.
“I hope that you and your congregation will also support this campaign to eradicate modern slavery from our society.”
According to the ePetition, featured on the NSW Parliament website, the petitioners believe that “it is completely unacceptable that this act was passed through both Houses of New South Wales Parliament well over two years before this petition was created, and still has not been brought into law.
“The Act was passed by the Parliament on 21st June 2018. We note that having passed the Parliament the legislation was forwarded to the Governor to receive Royal Assent, which it did on 27th June 2018.
“The Government has since failed to have the Act proclaimed into law, leaving the most vulnerable workers in our communities unprotected by NSW law.
“We the undersigned petitioners, ask the Legislative Assembly call on the New South Wales Government and on the Premier, to take immediate steps to proclaim the state’s Modern Slavery Act 2018 (the Act).”
The closing date to sign the ePetition is Tuesday 1 September 2020.
To sign the ePetition:
- Click on the following link https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/la/Pages/ePetition-details.aspx?q=Ta3SifrkU/SgnMNzTLsUZw==;
- You must tick the box that states “I am a resident of New South Wales” before you are able to sign the ePetition, which is embedded in the procedure because it is intended that those who participate are residents of NSW;
- Enter in your details;
- Tick relevant boxes where appropriate; and
- Click on “Sign”.
Once you click ‘submit’ you will have signed the ePetition and will be re-directed to the Legislative Assembly’s ‘ePetitions open for signature’ page
If you have any questions about participating in the ePetition, please do not hesitate to contact Hugh McDermott on (02) 9398 1822 or prospect@parliament.nsw.gov.au.