Submission to the US Regarding Forced Labour

Question

Senator CANAVAN: Thank you very much for that. More broadly, I've picked up this Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act-I'm learning something as we go here-and, on the US's Homeland Security website, there's a list here of probably at least 100, maybe up to 200, different firms, many of which seem connected to Xinjiang, whose products are banned from coming into the US. Have we done an analysis on whether we have bans on any of these companies? They're all listed here. They're all for forced labour or-sorry, there's a group with forced labour; there's a group here because they're known to participate in the persecution of Uighurs. So maybe that is different. They might be the only two groups. Have we had a look at this list to see whether we've actually investigated things in a way similar to the US? Mr Mina: These are really matters for the Attorney-General's portfolio. Senator CANAVAN: But you've made the submission to the US. In making your submission- Senator Wong: Senator- Senator CANAVAN: Hang on; I'm happy for you to respond, Minister. But you've made the submission- Mr Mina: Yes, we did. Senator CANAVAN: so, in making that submission, did you do a concordance between what the US does on forced labour-and it bans a number of companies involved with Uighur forced labour-and what we do to the same companies? Senator Wong: Senator, it's the same set of questions. I've tried to be helpful and so have the officials. But you're in the wrong committee. Senator CANAVAN: My question is about the submission. Senator Wong: We'll take on notice what we can assist you with.