Background

 
On 18 June 2010, the Cabinet approved the recommendation of the Ministry of Home Affairs to amend the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act 2007 in order to strengthen the regulatory framework to deal more effectively with the issues of human trafficking and smuggling of migrants.


The tabling of the Anti-Trafficking of Persons (Amendment) Bill 2010 was made in the second session, third term of the 12th Parliament. The first reading at the House of Representatives was held on 5 July 2010 and the second and third readings by the Minister of Home Affairs on 13 July 2010. The House of Representatives passed the bill on 15 July 2010. Subsequently, the bill was debated at the Senate on 3 August 2010 and passed unanimously.


The amendments to the act received the consent of the king on 8 September 2010 and it was gazetted on 30 September 2010. The act is currently known as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 and it came into force on 15 November 2010.