Media Release

22 February 2009

Pacific seasonal workers welcomed to Australia

Australia’s Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Duncan Kerr SC, has officially welcomed the first group of Pacific seasonal workers to arrive in Australia under the Pacific Seasonal Worker Pilot Scheme. 

In a ceremony held today in Robinvale, Victoria, Mr Kerr joined with local community and industry representatives, as well as Australian and Tongan Government officials, to welcome the fifty workers from Tonga.  

“The idea of a Pacific seasonal workers pilot scheme enjoys the support of many in the Australian community, and, of course, the Pacific island countries themselves,” said Mr Kerr. 

“Demand for this program has been driven by Australian farmers unable to find the labour they need to get their produce to market.”  

“By helping to address identified labour shortages in the horticultural industry while providing opportunities for Pacific workers, the seasonal workers scheme will benefit local growers and communities as well as Pacific islanders.” 

The Pacific Seasonal Worker Pilot Scheme, announced by the Government in August 2008, is a three-year trial program to allow up to 2,500 seasonal workers from Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu to work in the horticultural industry in regional Australia for up to seven months a year in areas of unmet labour demand.  

The Pilot has been welcomed by Pacific leaders. By providing employment experience, remittances, and training, the Pilot is anticipated to generate significant benefits to both the individual workers involved and their communities.  

The initiative is part of a comprehensive new approach by the Government to deepening Australia’s bilateral partnerships and strengthening its overall engagement with the Pacific, focusing on long term sustainability and prosperity within the region.  

 

Media inquiries: Mr Kerr's office - 02 6277 4991 - Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555

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