By Ilya Gridneff, PNG Correspondent
Australia is considering allowing people from Pacific nations into the country to perform seasonal work.
Parliamentary secretary for Pacific island affairs Duncan Kerr says complex issues need to be considered carefully before Australia’s labour market is opened up to workers from Pacific countries.
Farm groups have been lobbying for short-term visas, where temporary guest workers could be brought in for fruit-picking or other agricultural work.
Unions worry such workers could take jobs from Australians, while the former Howard government warned last year such a scheme could not only threaten Australian wages and conditions but lead to a flood of illegal arrivals.
Labour said before last year’s election, it had no immediate plans to allow unskilled guest workers into Australia, but would monitor a trial scheme in New Zealand involving about 5,000 Pacific island workers.
“We are monitoring the New Zealand experience with its recognised seasonal employer scheme,” Kerr said.
He said according to early reports, the New Zealand trial was working well.
Pacific leaders in Samoa, Tonga and Kiribati have told Australia of the importance they attach to labour mobility, particularly for Pacific nations with high unemployment.
PNG’s foreign affairs minister Sam Abal discussed labour mobility with Australian counterpart Stephen Smith during a recent visit to Canberra.
Prime minister Kevin Rudd last month ruled out a seasonal worker scheme, when it was raised by Solomon Islands prime minister Derek Sikua.
But the issue is now on the agenda and expected to be discussed during Rudd’s visit to PNG in the next few weeks.
Democrats deputy leader Andrew Bartlett has urged Rudd to fast-track a seasonal worker scheme rather than Australia rely on backpackers on working holiday visas to perform seasonal work like fruit-picking.
NSW MP and Kokoda adventure tour operator Charlie Lynn said Australia has a lot to learn through a work scheme for the Pacific region.
“The working relationship through seasonal work should also go both ways, Australians should be encouraged to work in PNG so they can get a better understanding of their neighbours,” he said.