Senator ELLISON (Minister for Justice and Customs) (3:04 PM) —During question time on 25 March 2004, Senator Greig asked me a question about trafficking persons, and I undertook to provide further information. I seek leave to incorporate that further information in Hansard.

Leave granted.

The answer read as follows—

Comprehensive victim support is available to all persons identified by the Australian Federal Police as potential victims of trafficking for a period of up to 30 days while the person is on a Bridging Visa F. During this time, the potential victim has access to the kinds of support set out in Senator Patterson's answer in the Senate on 23 March 2004. During this period of up to 30 days, the Australian Federal Police conducts further inquiries into case. If the AFP then determines that the victim is required to assist its investigation (and any subsequent prosecution), and the victim is willing to remain in Australia, then the victim transfers to a Criminal Justice Stay Visa and continues to receive victim support under the interim program in place now, or, once finalised, the permanent program described by Senator Patterson. The Government's package of measures to combat trafficking in persons includes a reintegration project being designed and implemented by AusAID to link victims returning to key source countries in South East Asia with similar services in those countries.

Further details can be sought from Senator Patterson, the Minister responsible for provision of victim support.

In relation to Senator Greig's question on the communication awareness campaign, I can advise that as part of its commitment to eliminating the problem of trafficking in persons, the Australian Government is undertaking a domestic communication strategy. The strategy comprises four stages over four years at a total cost of $0.4 million from the Government's overall $20 million package of anti-trafficking initiatives announced on 13 October 2003. The tender process for stage one, exploratory and developmental research, is now underway. In accordance with Australian Government requirements for communication activities, five consultants have been selected and asked to submit a proposal. They were selected because of their experience and expertise in social marketing on sensitive topics and to hard-to-reach audiences. Project Respect is not a specialist in the development of communication activities and does not have expertise in social marketing. The successful tenderer will be assisted by a specialist project advisory group and will be required to directly consult and liaise closely with key non-government organisations.

The Australian Government consulted Project Respect during the development of its package of anti-trafficking initiatives. I met with representatives of Project Respect and other non-government organisations to seek their views.

I acknowledge the valuable work undertaken by Project Respect and other non-government organisations on trafficking in persons. We are continuing to consult with non-government organisations, including Project Respect, on the implementation of the Australian Government's anti-trafficking initiatives.