Alexander
Coward
Drawing on eight years’ experience working for the Australian Government to shape Australia’s national response to modern slavery, Alexander brings significant expertise in business and human rights, key Australian and international regulatory frameworks, and equipping businesses to protect labour rights in global supply chains.
Alexander led the development and implementation of Australia’s landmark Modern Slavery Act 2018, including: leading the national consultation process to develop the Act; authoring the Government’s official guidance for reporting entities; and establishing the Online Register for Modern Slavery Statements.
Alexander also has extensive experience supporting companies to address modern slavery risks. He drove the Government’s work to equip businesses to comply with the Act, including providing policy advice about the application of the Act and presenting at over 40 Government workshops in Australia and overseas. Alexander has also represented Australia at the United Nations on modern slavery issues, delivered modern slavery training to foreign governments, worked on modern slavery issues for the Australian Parliament and appeared as an expert Government witness at Parliamentary inquiries.
Alexander has also worked on a range of other human rights issues for Government, including war crimes legislation and developing community resources for people at risk of forced marriage. He has a Master of International Law (Distinction) from the Australian National University and a Bachelor of International Relations (First Class Honours) from La Trobe University.