Australia on Wednesday moved to criminalise forced marriage, forms of slavery prevalent in the sex industry and the trafficking of organs. Attorney-General Nicola Roxon said such practices had no place in a democratic nation as she introduced the new laws, which she said covered “a spectrum of human misery”, into parliament for debate. “Tragically, nineteenth century slavery has not been abolished,” she said. “It has simply taken other forms.” Roxon cited young women being forced into marriages against their consent, and people trafficking for sexual and domestic servitude, and for the intention of using their organs. “While many people may think of slavery and people trafficking as international problems, the reality is that Australia is not immune to these diabolical practices,” she said.
