Anti-slavery Commissioner to address National Conference

NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner James Cockayne and modern slavery survivor Sarah will address Catholic Health Australia’s annual conference.

Dr Cockayne began his five-year term as NSW’s inaugural Anti-slavery Commissioner in August 2022 after spending two decades promoting human rights and responsible business practices around the world.

He was a member of the World Economic Forum Global Futures Council for Equity and Social Justice and chaired the US Council on Foreign Relations Study Group on Human Trafficking, having also founded Finance Against Slavery and Trafficking.

Dr Cockayne will be speaking on a panel alongside representatives from two Catholic anti-slavery groups, Australian Catholic Anti-Slavery Network (ACAN) and Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans (ACRATH).

He will also be joined by Sarah, a nurse who has rebuilt her life after experiencing modern slavery. Sarah is now the Lived Experience Adviser in the Commissioner’s team, and at the cutting edge of efforts to give people with lived experience voice and influence in anti-slavery efforts.

The CHA conference on the final weekend of August is themed Encounter 2023 and will host up to 300 Board directors, CEOs, and senior executives from CHA’s hospital, aged and community care providers.

Attendees will also hear from leading social commentator and corporate communicator Bernard Salt AM whose expertise in demographics is especially relevant to the aged care and health sectors, which are facing an ageing population with complex health challenges.

Mr Salt has written six best-selling books and hosts a business chat show called The Next Five Years broadcast on SkyNews Business.

CHA CEO Pat Garcia said the speakers will provide fascinating insights at the conference in Perth.

“I am pleased to announce NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner James Cockayne will be one of the keynote speakers at our annual conference,” he said.

“As part of our Catholic mission, the CHA members are dedicated to eradicating modern slavery and our members regularly engage with anti-slavery groups.

“We look forward to learning from Dr Cockayne’s deep understanding of the issue and also listening to Sarah.

“I am also pleased to welcome Bernard Salt AM who has an excellent reputation as a columnist, speaker, business advisor and media commentator. His insights into the changing demographic landscape of Australia will prove invaluable.”