Zed Seselja (ACT, Liberal Party, Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Scarr, who is a champion of Australia's relations with the Pacific. I'm pleased to advise that we have almost 19,000 Pacific and Timorese workers in Australia—the most ever. Since our Pacific labour initiatives recommenced in September last year, more than 14,000 Pacific workers have arrived from seven participating Pacific nations and Timor-Leste. Between now and Christmas a further 2,000 Pacific workers will arrive to assist with the harvest period and a further 55,000 Pacific workers are ready and waiting to come to Australia. This is immediate action to address critical workforce shortages across regional Australia.

Pacific labour mobility is also expanding, and is now involved in more sectors. Pacific workers are helping to bring in harvests, process meat, care for our elderly and staff our hospitality venues as we look to bounce back after COVID-19. The government recognises the outstanding job Pacific and Timorese workers have done in critical industries in Australia throughout the pandemic, particularly in agriculture. These workers have played a vital role in many rural industries, including: Samoan aged-care workers in Katherine in the Northern Territory; Fijian meat workers in Inverell in New South Wales; and Solomon Islands horticultural workers in Clifton in Senator Scarr's home state of Queensland. On average, a longer-term Pacific worker will send remittances of more than $40,000 home over a three-year placement. This is an economic stimulus that directly allows our workers to support family, educate their kids and build homes, and it serves as a life-changing economic investment in our region. This makes Pacific labour much greater than just a win-win initiative within the region. It's essential for our Pacific family, and we're committed to its future.

Finally, as Christmas approaches we should also take a moment to pause and express our gratitude to these Pacific workers who will be away from family and their communities at this important time of year. I thank our Pacific family for the invaluable contribution they're making—(Time expired)