Aus joins partnership program to combat human trafficking

AUSTRALIA will cough up $50 million to battle human trafficking across south-east Asia, as part of a partnership program with seven countries in the region.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced the new program to combat human trafficking in Cambodia on Tuesday.

Investigators and prosecutors in Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao DPR, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam will get the funding boost to up their conviction rate and reduce opportunities for trafficking.

The joint program will be undertaken by the Association of south-east Asian nations (ASEAN).

Topics:  asia, australian government, crime, human trafficking, sex trade