The Hon. AILEEN MacDONALD (14:02): My question is directed to the Minister for Transport. Is the Minister aware of the recent comment from the president of the Australian Uyghur Tangritagh Women's Association, Ramila Chanisheff, that too many imports are tainted by Uyghur blood as well as her call to cancel government contracts with Foton Mobility Distribution and Yutong? What steps is the Minister taking in response to her plea on behalf of the Uyghur people?

The Hon. JOHN GRAHAM (Special Minister of State, Minister for Transport, Minister for the Arts, and Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy) (14:03): I thank the honourable member for her very serious question. This is an appropriate way to raise it. Members know that the Government is taking these issues seriously, as are the Parliament and the House, having passed the Modern Slavery Bill some years ago. I have updated the House previously on this matter, but I will recap where we are up to. Firstly, I was not aware of the specific comments that were made, but I take them seriously. Secondly, in relation to actions, Transport for NSW is conducting a deep-dive review of Bus Procurement Panel 4 suppliers to examine forced labour concerns. The companies concerned, as part of that bus panel, have provided a range of documents in response. Transport has written to all 10 of those Bus Panel 4 suppliers, seeking an urgent response regarding supply chain risks, including details about suppliers and the country-of-origin of components.

On 7 March a key meeting was held between Transport and the Anti-slavery Commissioner. Transport shared information about the work that has been done so far to investigate the recent allegations. That engagement will be ongoing, as we sort through the issues. On 10 March 2025 I spoke to the Anti-slavery Commissioner to let him know that any assistance he required from government agencies would be provided and to ask him to alert me if he felt in any way that that was being impeded, to ensure that his work and the work of Transport were able to unfold. Transport is certainly aware of its obligations under the Act to take reasonable steps. I have sought assurance from Transport that it clearly understands those obligations, and I am satisfied that it does and will continue to work through these issues. Those are the facts.

I understand the view that is being put forward, and I understand why it is being put forward from this group. It is a helpful issue to raise in the House. What is less helpful is the approach that the Opposition has taken up until now, which is to overstate some of the claims that have been made in the reports. I place that concern on record. The Opposition has not merely put those reports before the House but has gone further than the reports in its claims. I have gone back to look at the reports, and the position put by the Opposition in the House and in estimates hearings is further than the reports themselves. I thank the member for her question, but the Opposition needs to be careful about the way it is approaching the issue.