21 Feb 2008

Australia considers Pacific labour

7:26 am on 21 February 2008

Australia is considering allowing people from Pacific nations into the country to perform seasonal work.

However the country's 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 Pacific workers.

Farm groups have been lobbying for short-term visas so temporary guest workers can be brought in for fruit-picking or other agricultural work.

Unions worry such workers could take jobs from Australians.

Recent governments have also warned it could not only threaten Australian wages and conditions, but lead to a flood of illegal arrivals.

Duncan Kerr has indicated that if the new Zealand RSE is deemed successful a similar scheme could be implemented in Australia.