Modern slavery in Australia, explained in one comic

Editor's note

Many of us hear the words “modern slavery” and think of workers in foreign countries making clothes or smartphones. But it’s happening closer than you might think: modern slavery is a shameful reality here in Australia. Jennifer Burn, the interim Anti-Slavery Commissioner in NSW, worked with us to create a comic that details four real case studies of the kinds of exploitation in Australia that her team at Anti-Slavery Australia encounter in their work. It’s a sobering read.

Here at The Conversation, we do comic explainers to help break down real world problems and research into a simple, memorable format. But projects like these take time and money. We’d love to do more of them, explaining complex topics like climate change, palliative care and information warfare. If projects like these are something you value, please donate today.

Wes Mountain

Multimedia Editor

Top story

Many instances of slavery or exploitation start with the promise of a reasonably paying job in Australia. Wes Mountain/The Conversation

Human trafficking and slavery still happen in Australia. This comic explains how

Jennifer Burn, University of Technology Sydney

While some may not believe slavery and human trafficking happen in Australia, the unpalatable truth is that they do. Here are four examples of what they can look like.

People living in private rental housing were much more likely than social housing residents to say they felt lonely. Dundanim/Shutterstock

‘I really have thought this can’t go on’: loneliness looms for rising numbers of older private renters

Alan Morris, University of Technology Sydney; Andrea Verdasco, University of Technology Sydney

Increasing numbers of older Australians don't own their homes. Whether they are private renters or live in social housing can make a big difference to their risk of loneliness and anxiety.

Half a million Australians aged 50 and over lost their homes in the first decade of this century. Shutterstock

More people are retiring with high mortgage debts. The implications are huge

Rachel Ong ViforJ, Curtin University; Gavin Wood, RMIT University

47% of Australians aged 55-64 have mortgage debt, up from 14% in 1990.

Health + Medicine

3 out of 4 kids with mental health disorders aren’t accessing care

Melissa Mulraney, Murdoch Children's Research Institute; Harriet Hiscock, Murdoch Children's Research Institute

Those least likely to get professional help for their mental health conditions were girls, younger children, and children from non-English-speaking backgrounds.
How to get the nutrients you need without eating as much red meat

Evangeline Mantzioris, University of South Australia

Here's how to ensure you're still getting enough protein, iron, zinc and vitamin B12 while cutting back on red meat.

Arts + Culture

What’s so special about the Mona Lisa?

Susan Broomhall, University of Western Australia; Charles Green, University of Melbourne

Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa is the world's most visited artwork. Its appeal rests partly on several mysteries.
‘Faboriginal’ Steven Oliver jump-starts a conversation about race in a thrilling new show

William Peterson, Flinders University

Steven Oliver's new cabaret show is an exhilarating journey through hard-hitting stories about success, love, depression and racism.

Education
Selective schools mainly ‘select’ advantage, so another one won’t ease Sydney’s growing pains Christina Ho, University of Technology Sydney Selective schools aim to give all gifted students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, opportunities they may not have had otherwise. But that's not what's actually happening.

Environment + Energy

Not everyone cares about climate change, but reproach won’t change their minds

Chloe Lucas, University of Tasmania; Adam Corner, Cardiff University; Aidan Davison, University of Tasmania; Peat Leith, University of Tasmania

In the end, climate policy didn't swing the federal election, and for those on the losing side it can be tempting to play the blame game. But listening and respect are much better ways to move forward.
5 ways the government can clean up the Murray-Darling Basin Plan

Barry Hart, Monash University; Martin Thoms, University of New England

The Murray-Darling Basin might not survive future climate change shocks without changes to the plan.

Science + Technology

Silver makes beautiful bling but it’s also good for keeping the bacterial bugs away

Mark Blaskovich, The University of Queensland

For too long silver has been used to mark second best but this element deserves more recognition thanks to its antibacterial properties.
Curious Kids: where do rocks come from?

Alan Collins, University of Adelaide

As strange as it sounds, rocks are made from stardust.

Politics + Society

View from The Hill: A soft reprimand from one hard man to another

Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra

In deciding its reaction, the government is trying to gauge how much the press freedom issue is a matter of public concern – as distinct from the concern of the media itself.
Why the Israel Folau case could set an important precedent for employment law and religious freedom

Anthony Forsyth, RMIT University

What makes Folau's case unique is that it sets up a clash between employment contract law and legal protections against discrimination on the basis of religion.
CFMMEU’s John Setka set to be expelled from ALP after attack on Rosie Batty

Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra

The opposition leader will move to have Setka expelled from the ALP after Setka reportedly told a union meeting that Batty's work had led to men having fewer rights.