In this file photo dated Aug 4, 2021, people walk near Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

CANBERRA - The Australian government has announced additional funding to support victims of modern-day slavery, according to a government release on Sunday.

Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth, Assistant Minister Justine Elliot, and Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus on Sunday committed AU$14.3 million ($9.5 million) for programs to support people in forced marriages.

Of the funding, AU$12.1 million ($8.06 million) will go towards the new Forced Marriage Specialist Support Program, which will provide access to support including counseling and emergency accommodation for people who are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, forced marriage

Of the funding, AU$12.1 million ($8.06 million) will go towards the new Forced Marriage Specialist Support Program, which will provide access to support including counseling and emergency accommodation for people who are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, forced marriage.

The remaining AU$2.2 million ($1.4 million) will fund the existing Speak Now project, which aims to prevent forced marriage through education and awareness raising.

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According to the federal government, there are currently about 1,900 victims of modern slavery in Australia.

"Modern slavery, including forced marriage, is an abhorrent abuse of power, and the Government is doing everything we can to eliminate it from our society," Rishworth said in a joint statement with Elliot and Dreyfus.

"The Forced Marriage Specialist Support Program builds on the Government's existing Support for Trafficked People Program to ensure assistance is available to all victims of human trafficking, forced marriage, slavery, and forced labor."

Dreyfus, who along with Elliot will host state and territory ministers for the 15th National Roundtable on Human Trafficking and Slavery later in December, on Thursday introduced legislation to parliament to establish a Federal Anti-Slavery Commissioner.

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Under the proposed legislation, the appointed commissioner would work across the government and private industry to ensure compliance with the Modern Slavery Act.

The government allocated AU$8 million ($5.3 million) in May's federal budget for 2023-24 to fund the new commissioner role for its first four years.