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Perth Now
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Half this country desperate to live in Aus
More than half of the citizens of Tuvalu have applied for a visa to permanently migrate to Australia. Just more than a month ago, Australia opened the The Falepili Mobility Pathway ballot, a program to provide citizens of the tiny island nation of Tuvalu a permanent migration pathway to Australia. The country has a population of just 10,643, while at least 5157 of them entered the lottery, more than half of the nation's people. This was through 1466 registrations, with many of the people being included as family members on applications. The ballot, which closed on Friday, randomly selected up to 280 people each year to apply for the visa. It is open to all Tuvalu citizens, regardless of age, and visa holders do not need to gain employment in Australia before applying. Tuvalu's population is particularly exposed to the effects of climate change. Credit: Supplied If the pace of applications keeps up, it could mean the entire population of Tuvalu could live in Australia within 40 years. Selections for the ballot will take place between July 25, 2025 and January 25, 2026. The scheme allows successful applicants to live, work and study anywhere in Australia indefinitely, sponsor relatives to also migrate to Australia, and apply for citizenship once eligible. The population of the island nation is one of the world's most exposed to the effects of climate change, with this program providing a path to flee as the impacts worsen. The visa program is part of an agreement between Australia and the Pacific nation. Credit: Supplied The pathway is part of the Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union that both countries signed on August 28, 2024, part of which is to build climate resilience. Also included in the union is a commitment of $38m to invest in climate adaptation measures on the island. Pacific Minister Pat Conroy said the ballot's opening was a 'landmark moment'. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia When the ballot opened last month, Pacific Island Affairs Minister Pat Conroy called it the 'most significant agreement' between Australia and a Pacific country since Papua New Guinea's independence in 1975. 'The opening of the mobility pathway ballot is a landmark moment for Australia and Tuvalu,' Mr Conroy said. 'Alongside the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme and the Pacific Engagement Visa, the Falepili migration pathway will strengthen relationships with our Pacific neighbours. 'It demonstrates how we are working in partnership with the Pacific to ensure our region remains peaceful, stable and prosperous.' Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the program provided a pathway 'as climate impacts worsen'. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia Foreign Minister Penny Wong said 'as climate impacts worsen' the program allowed Tuvaluans to live, study and work in Australia. 'The pathway reflects the deep trust between our two countries, and we look forward to the contributions Tuvaluans will make to Australian society,' Senator Wong said.
The Advertiser
05-07-2025
- The Advertiser
Hit-run death a symbol of migrant workers' sacrifices
Argen Kuni came to Australia with "a heart full of hope", determined to earn enough money to build a new home for his wife and two sons. The young father arrived from the Solomon Islands under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility, or PALM, scheme in July 2021 to work at a rural meat processing plant, assured of good conditions and a decent wage. "For Argen, this opportunity was more than just employment," his brother Kenneth Kuni tells AAP. "It was a chance to fulfil his dream of providing a better life for his family." With visions of a promising new chapter, Mr Kuni instead found himself cleaning out the innards of hundreds of animals every day and returning to a small room shared with three other workers at night. He confided that he felt betrayed and was concerned for his mental and physical health as the conditions took a toll. Mr Kuni left the PALM scheme and was granted a different visa in 2022, going on to work in agriculture and construction. He finally earned enough to build his family home. But just as he was planning to return to his homeland, the 34-year-old was struck and killed by a car in a suspected hit-and-run in the NSW Riverina city of Griffith on April 28. His body was found just after 4am, the time he usually began walking to work at a local poultry farm. "In a conversation shortly before his death, Argen expressed his satisfaction in achieving his goal of building a home for his family and his desire to return home to reunite with them," Kenneth Kuni says, over email. "Unfortunately, he passed away before he could fulfil that promise." Police say Mr Kuni was found on the roadside. He'd suffered multiple injuries and could not be revived by paramedics. Investigators have appealed to find the drivers of a light-coloured ute and dark-coloured SUV seen in the area at the time. Mr Kuni's death highlights the risks and vulnerabilities faced by migrant workers, particularly the estimated 4800 people who absconded from the PALM scheme across Australia in the five years to mid-2023. A NSW parliamentary inquiry examining the risks of modern slavery in rural areas has revealed mistreatment of PALM workers, who come from the Pacific to fill critical gaps in agriculture, horticulture, meat processing and aged care. Unlike other temporary migrant workers, PALM participants cannot readily change employers under their visa conditions. This immobility creates a dangerous power imbalance for workers, Immigration Advice and Rights Centre chief executive Joshua Strutt says. Unscrupulous labour hire companies or employers take advantage of the restricted movement condition, with many instances of workers doing unpaid labour, having their passports confiscated or being critically injured in unsafe workplaces. With no clear path for recourse, some feel they have no choice but to disengage from the scheme. "They're scared for their lives, they're scared for their livelihoods," Mr Strutt, the legal centre's principal solicitor, tells AAP. "They've come here to earn money for themselves and for their families back home and be treated with dignity and respect. "They're not getting that treatment here in Australia." Once PALM workers leave the scheme, they lose access to health insurance, accommodation and legal employment, only increasing their vulnerability and risk of exploitation. The community of Griffith, where Mr Kuni spent his final months, has become a destination for adrift PALM participants hoping to find work in the expansive cropping and horticulture region. Social services in the NSW town have been inundated with disengaged workers in need of support, particularly women seeking reproductive healthcare or accommodation after fleeing violent co-workers and employers. A report by the state's anti-slavery commissioner says there are also early warning signs of small-scale organised labour trafficking in the Riverina due to the pool of undocumented and desperate workers. "It's often local communities that have to step in and help people in this precarious situation," commissioner James Cockayne told the inquiry in April. "It's local service providers that are dealing with the consequences of systems failure in our management of these temporary work schemes." The inquiry has acknowledged many PALM workers flourish in Australia, with a 2022 survey showing 98 per cent would recommend the scheme to others and 92 per cent intended participating again. The federal government has moved to strengthen the scheme in recent years, introducing protections such as minimum hours requirements, better transparency around accommodation costs and pay parity with domestic workers. It has also formed a task force to better prevent and respond to worker disengagement, while language, literacy and digital training has been offered to participants under a new program. Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth says grievance mechanisms are available when there are allegations of worker exploitation. "My heart goes out to Mr Kuni's loved ones at this difficult time," she says. "The death of any PALM scheme worker is a tragedy." While the government's changes have been welcomed, legal and social advocates say the restrictive PALM visa conditions remain one of the biggest threats to workers' wellbeing. A more complex overarching issue is the way some Australians think about migrant workers, Mr Strutt says. "We've heard reports of PALM workers and other temporary migrants being referred to as imports or goods, not as human beings. "These are people who come to Australia to pick our fruit, butcher meat that ends up in our supermarkets and ... look after our loved ones. "They just don't deserve to be treated as sub-human." Kenneth Kuni wants to see greater mobility for PALM workers. He hopes his brother's short life inspires change. "His story serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by individuals seeking better opportunities abroad and the importance of ensuring fair treatment and support for all workers." Reports of modern slavery can be made to 1800 FREEDOM (1800 37 333 66) Argen Kuni came to Australia with "a heart full of hope", determined to earn enough money to build a new home for his wife and two sons. The young father arrived from the Solomon Islands under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility, or PALM, scheme in July 2021 to work at a rural meat processing plant, assured of good conditions and a decent wage. "For Argen, this opportunity was more than just employment," his brother Kenneth Kuni tells AAP. "It was a chance to fulfil his dream of providing a better life for his family." With visions of a promising new chapter, Mr Kuni instead found himself cleaning out the innards of hundreds of animals every day and returning to a small room shared with three other workers at night. He confided that he felt betrayed and was concerned for his mental and physical health as the conditions took a toll. Mr Kuni left the PALM scheme and was granted a different visa in 2022, going on to work in agriculture and construction. He finally earned enough to build his family home. But just as he was planning to return to his homeland, the 34-year-old was struck and killed by a car in a suspected hit-and-run in the NSW Riverina city of Griffith on April 28. His body was found just after 4am, the time he usually began walking to work at a local poultry farm. "In a conversation shortly before his death, Argen expressed his satisfaction in achieving his goal of building a home for his family and his desire to return home to reunite with them," Kenneth Kuni says, over email. "Unfortunately, he passed away before he could fulfil that promise." Police say Mr Kuni was found on the roadside. He'd suffered multiple injuries and could not be revived by paramedics. Investigators have appealed to find the drivers of a light-coloured ute and dark-coloured SUV seen in the area at the time. Mr Kuni's death highlights the risks and vulnerabilities faced by migrant workers, particularly the estimated 4800 people who absconded from the PALM scheme across Australia in the five years to mid-2023. A NSW parliamentary inquiry examining the risks of modern slavery in rural areas has revealed mistreatment of PALM workers, who come from the Pacific to fill critical gaps in agriculture, horticulture, meat processing and aged care. Unlike other temporary migrant workers, PALM participants cannot readily change employers under their visa conditions. This immobility creates a dangerous power imbalance for workers, Immigration Advice and Rights Centre chief executive Joshua Strutt says. Unscrupulous labour hire companies or employers take advantage of the restricted movement condition, with many instances of workers doing unpaid labour, having their passports confiscated or being critically injured in unsafe workplaces. With no clear path for recourse, some feel they have no choice but to disengage from the scheme. "They're scared for their lives, they're scared for their livelihoods," Mr Strutt, the legal centre's principal solicitor, tells AAP. "They've come here to earn money for themselves and for their families back home and be treated with dignity and respect. "They're not getting that treatment here in Australia." Once PALM workers leave the scheme, they lose access to health insurance, accommodation and legal employment, only increasing their vulnerability and risk of exploitation. The community of Griffith, where Mr Kuni spent his final months, has become a destination for adrift PALM participants hoping to find work in the expansive cropping and horticulture region. Social services in the NSW town have been inundated with disengaged workers in need of support, particularly women seeking reproductive healthcare or accommodation after fleeing violent co-workers and employers. A report by the state's anti-slavery commissioner says there are also early warning signs of small-scale organised labour trafficking in the Riverina due to the pool of undocumented and desperate workers. "It's often local communities that have to step in and help people in this precarious situation," commissioner James Cockayne told the inquiry in April. "It's local service providers that are dealing with the consequences of systems failure in our management of these temporary work schemes." The inquiry has acknowledged many PALM workers flourish in Australia, with a 2022 survey showing 98 per cent would recommend the scheme to others and 92 per cent intended participating again. The federal government has moved to strengthen the scheme in recent years, introducing protections such as minimum hours requirements, better transparency around accommodation costs and pay parity with domestic workers. It has also formed a task force to better prevent and respond to worker disengagement, while language, literacy and digital training has been offered to participants under a new program. Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth says grievance mechanisms are available when there are allegations of worker exploitation. "My heart goes out to Mr Kuni's loved ones at this difficult time," she says. "The death of any PALM scheme worker is a tragedy." While the government's changes have been welcomed, legal and social advocates say the restrictive PALM visa conditions remain one of the biggest threats to workers' wellbeing. A more complex overarching issue is the way some Australians think about migrant workers, Mr Strutt says. "We've heard reports of PALM workers and other temporary migrants being referred to as imports or goods, not as human beings. "These are people who come to Australia to pick our fruit, butcher meat that ends up in our supermarkets and ... look after our loved ones. "They just don't deserve to be treated as sub-human." Kenneth Kuni wants to see greater mobility for PALM workers. He hopes his brother's short life inspires change. "His story serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by individuals seeking better opportunities abroad and the importance of ensuring fair treatment and support for all workers." Reports of modern slavery can be made to 1800 FREEDOM (1800 37 333 66) Argen Kuni came to Australia with "a heart full of hope", determined to earn enough money to build a new home for his wife and two sons. The young father arrived from the Solomon Islands under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility, or PALM, scheme in July 2021 to work at a rural meat processing plant, assured of good conditions and a decent wage. "For Argen, this opportunity was more than just employment," his brother Kenneth Kuni tells AAP. "It was a chance to fulfil his dream of providing a better life for his family." With visions of a promising new chapter, Mr Kuni instead found himself cleaning out the innards of hundreds of animals every day and returning to a small room shared with three other workers at night. He confided that he felt betrayed and was concerned for his mental and physical health as the conditions took a toll. Mr Kuni left the PALM scheme and was granted a different visa in 2022, going on to work in agriculture and construction. He finally earned enough to build his family home. But just as he was planning to return to his homeland, the 34-year-old was struck and killed by a car in a suspected hit-and-run in the NSW Riverina city of Griffith on April 28. His body was found just after 4am, the time he usually began walking to work at a local poultry farm. "In a conversation shortly before his death, Argen expressed his satisfaction in achieving his goal of building a home for his family and his desire to return home to reunite with them," Kenneth Kuni says, over email. "Unfortunately, he passed away before he could fulfil that promise." Police say Mr Kuni was found on the roadside. He'd suffered multiple injuries and could not be revived by paramedics. Investigators have appealed to find the drivers of a light-coloured ute and dark-coloured SUV seen in the area at the time. Mr Kuni's death highlights the risks and vulnerabilities faced by migrant workers, particularly the estimated 4800 people who absconded from the PALM scheme across Australia in the five years to mid-2023. A NSW parliamentary inquiry examining the risks of modern slavery in rural areas has revealed mistreatment of PALM workers, who come from the Pacific to fill critical gaps in agriculture, horticulture, meat processing and aged care. Unlike other temporary migrant workers, PALM participants cannot readily change employers under their visa conditions. This immobility creates a dangerous power imbalance for workers, Immigration Advice and Rights Centre chief executive Joshua Strutt says. Unscrupulous labour hire companies or employers take advantage of the restricted movement condition, with many instances of workers doing unpaid labour, having their passports confiscated or being critically injured in unsafe workplaces. With no clear path for recourse, some feel they have no choice but to disengage from the scheme. "They're scared for their lives, they're scared for their livelihoods," Mr Strutt, the legal centre's principal solicitor, tells AAP. "They've come here to earn money for themselves and for their families back home and be treated with dignity and respect. "They're not getting that treatment here in Australia." Once PALM workers leave the scheme, they lose access to health insurance, accommodation and legal employment, only increasing their vulnerability and risk of exploitation. The community of Griffith, where Mr Kuni spent his final months, has become a destination for adrift PALM participants hoping to find work in the expansive cropping and horticulture region. Social services in the NSW town have been inundated with disengaged workers in need of support, particularly women seeking reproductive healthcare or accommodation after fleeing violent co-workers and employers. A report by the state's anti-slavery commissioner says there are also early warning signs of small-scale organised labour trafficking in the Riverina due to the pool of undocumented and desperate workers. "It's often local communities that have to step in and help people in this precarious situation," commissioner James Cockayne told the inquiry in April. "It's local service providers that are dealing with the consequences of systems failure in our management of these temporary work schemes." The inquiry has acknowledged many PALM workers flourish in Australia, with a 2022 survey showing 98 per cent would recommend the scheme to others and 92 per cent intended participating again. The federal government has moved to strengthen the scheme in recent years, introducing protections such as minimum hours requirements, better transparency around accommodation costs and pay parity with domestic workers. It has also formed a task force to better prevent and respond to worker disengagement, while language, literacy and digital training has been offered to participants under a new program. Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth says grievance mechanisms are available when there are allegations of worker exploitation. "My heart goes out to Mr Kuni's loved ones at this difficult time," she says. "The death of any PALM scheme worker is a tragedy." While the government's changes have been welcomed, legal and social advocates say the restrictive PALM visa conditions remain one of the biggest threats to workers' wellbeing. A more complex overarching issue is the way some Australians think about migrant workers, Mr Strutt says. "We've heard reports of PALM workers and other temporary migrants being referred to as imports or goods, not as human beings. "These are people who come to Australia to pick our fruit, butcher meat that ends up in our supermarkets and ... look after our loved ones. "They just don't deserve to be treated as sub-human." Kenneth Kuni wants to see greater mobility for PALM workers. He hopes his brother's short life inspires change. "His story serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by individuals seeking better opportunities abroad and the importance of ensuring fair treatment and support for all workers." Reports of modern slavery can be made to 1800 FREEDOM (1800 37 333 66) Argen Kuni came to Australia with "a heart full of hope", determined to earn enough money to build a new home for his wife and two sons. The young father arrived from the Solomon Islands under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility, or PALM, scheme in July 2021 to work at a rural meat processing plant, assured of good conditions and a decent wage. "For Argen, this opportunity was more than just employment," his brother Kenneth Kuni tells AAP. "It was a chance to fulfil his dream of providing a better life for his family." With visions of a promising new chapter, Mr Kuni instead found himself cleaning out the innards of hundreds of animals every day and returning to a small room shared with three other workers at night. He confided that he felt betrayed and was concerned for his mental and physical health as the conditions took a toll. Mr Kuni left the PALM scheme and was granted a different visa in 2022, going on to work in agriculture and construction. He finally earned enough to build his family home. But just as he was planning to return to his homeland, the 34-year-old was struck and killed by a car in a suspected hit-and-run in the NSW Riverina city of Griffith on April 28. His body was found just after 4am, the time he usually began walking to work at a local poultry farm. "In a conversation shortly before his death, Argen expressed his satisfaction in achieving his goal of building a home for his family and his desire to return home to reunite with them," Kenneth Kuni says, over email. "Unfortunately, he passed away before he could fulfil that promise." Police say Mr Kuni was found on the roadside. He'd suffered multiple injuries and could not be revived by paramedics. Investigators have appealed to find the drivers of a light-coloured ute and dark-coloured SUV seen in the area at the time. Mr Kuni's death highlights the risks and vulnerabilities faced by migrant workers, particularly the estimated 4800 people who absconded from the PALM scheme across Australia in the five years to mid-2023. A NSW parliamentary inquiry examining the risks of modern slavery in rural areas has revealed mistreatment of PALM workers, who come from the Pacific to fill critical gaps in agriculture, horticulture, meat processing and aged care. Unlike other temporary migrant workers, PALM participants cannot readily change employers under their visa conditions. This immobility creates a dangerous power imbalance for workers, Immigration Advice and Rights Centre chief executive Joshua Strutt says. Unscrupulous labour hire companies or employers take advantage of the restricted movement condition, with many instances of workers doing unpaid labour, having their passports confiscated or being critically injured in unsafe workplaces. With no clear path for recourse, some feel they have no choice but to disengage from the scheme. "They're scared for their lives, they're scared for their livelihoods," Mr Strutt, the legal centre's principal solicitor, tells AAP. "They've come here to earn money for themselves and for their families back home and be treated with dignity and respect. "They're not getting that treatment here in Australia." Once PALM workers leave the scheme, they lose access to health insurance, accommodation and legal employment, only increasing their vulnerability and risk of exploitation. The community of Griffith, where Mr Kuni spent his final months, has become a destination for adrift PALM participants hoping to find work in the expansive cropping and horticulture region. Social services in the NSW town have been inundated with disengaged workers in need of support, particularly women seeking reproductive healthcare or accommodation after fleeing violent co-workers and employers. A report by the state's anti-slavery commissioner says there are also early warning signs of small-scale organised labour trafficking in the Riverina due to the pool of undocumented and desperate workers. "It's often local communities that have to step in and help people in this precarious situation," commissioner James Cockayne told the inquiry in April. "It's local service providers that are dealing with the consequences of systems failure in our management of these temporary work schemes." The inquiry has acknowledged many PALM workers flourish in Australia, with a 2022 survey showing 98 per cent would recommend the scheme to others and 92 per cent intended participating again. The federal government has moved to strengthen the scheme in recent years, introducing protections such as minimum hours requirements, better transparency around accommodation costs and pay parity with domestic workers. It has also formed a task force to better prevent and respond to worker disengagement, while language, literacy and digital training has been offered to participants under a new program. Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth says grievance mechanisms are available when there are allegations of worker exploitation. "My heart goes out to Mr Kuni's loved ones at this difficult time," she says. "The death of any PALM scheme worker is a tragedy." While the government's changes have been welcomed, legal and social advocates say the restrictive PALM visa conditions remain one of the biggest threats to workers' wellbeing. A more complex overarching issue is the way some Australians think about migrant workers, Mr Strutt says. "We've heard reports of PALM workers and other temporary migrants being referred to as imports or goods, not as human beings. "These are people who come to Australia to pick our fruit, butcher meat that ends up in our supermarkets and ... look after our loved ones. "They just don't deserve to be treated as sub-human." Kenneth Kuni wants to see greater mobility for PALM workers. He hopes his brother's short life inspires change. "His story serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by individuals seeking better opportunities abroad and the importance of ensuring fair treatment and support for all workers." Reports of modern slavery can be made to 1800 FREEDOM (1800 37 333 66)
Perth Now
04-07-2025
- Perth Now
Hit-run death a symbol of migrant workers' sacrifices
Argen Kuni came to Australia with "a heart full of hope", determined to earn enough money to build a new home for his wife and two sons. The young father arrived from the Solomon Islands under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility, or PALM, scheme in July 2021 to work at a rural meat processing plant, assured of good conditions and a decent wage. "For Argen, this opportunity was more than just employment," his brother Kenneth Kuni tells AAP. "It was a chance to fulfil his dream of providing a better life for his family." With visions of a promising new chapter, Mr Kuni instead found himself cleaning out the innards of hundreds of animals every day and returning to a small room shared with three other workers at night. He confided that he felt betrayed and was concerned for his mental and physical health as the conditions took a toll. Mr Kuni left the PALM scheme and was granted a different visa in 2022, going on to work in agriculture and construction. He finally earned enough to build his family home. But just as he was planning to return to his homeland, the 34-year-old was struck and killed by a car in a suspected hit-and-run in the NSW Riverina city of Griffith on April 28. His body was found just after 4am, the time he usually began walking to work at a local poultry farm. "In a conversation shortly before his death, Argen expressed his satisfaction in achieving his goal of building a home for his family and his desire to return home to reunite with them," Kenneth Kuni says, over email. "Unfortunately, he passed away before he could fulfil that promise." Police say Mr Kuni was found on the roadside. He'd suffered multiple injuries and could not be revived by paramedics. Investigators have appealed to find the drivers of a light-coloured ute and dark-coloured SUV seen in the area at the time. Mr Kuni's death highlights the risks and vulnerabilities faced by migrant workers, particularly the estimated 4800 people who absconded from the PALM scheme across Australia in the five years to mid-2023. The inquiry has acknowledged many PALM workers flourish in Australia, with a 2022 survey showing 98 per cent would recommend the scheme to others and 92 per cent intended participating again. The federal government has moved to strengthen the scheme in recent years, introducing protections such as minimum hours requirements, better transparency around accommodation costs and pay parity with domestic workers. It has also formed a task force to better prevent and respond to worker disengagement, while language, literacy and digital training has been offered to participants under a new program. Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth says grievance mechanisms are available when there are allegations of worker exploitation. "My heart goes out to Mr Kuni's loved ones at this difficult time," she says. "The death of any PALM scheme worker is a tragedy." While the government's changes have been welcomed, legal and social advocates say the restrictive PALM visa conditions remain one of the biggest threats to workers' wellbeing. A more complex overarching issue is the way some Australians think about migrant workers, Mr Strutt says. "We've heard reports of PALM workers and other temporary migrants being referred to as imports or goods, not as human beings. "These are people who come to Australia to pick our fruit, butcher meat that ends up in our supermarkets and ... look after our loved ones. "They just don't deserve to be treated as sub-human." Kenneth Kuni wants to see greater mobility for PALM workers. He hopes his brother's short life inspires change. "His story serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by individuals seeking better opportunities abroad and the importance of ensuring fair treatment and support for all workers." Reports of modern slavery can be made to 1800 FREEDOM (1800 37 333 66)
West Australian
04-07-2025
- West Australian
Hit-run death a symbol of migrant workers' sacrifices
Argen Kuni came to Australia with "a heart full of hope", determined to earn enough money to build a new home for his wife and two sons. The young father arrived from the Solomon Islands under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility, or PALM, scheme in July 2021 to work at a rural meat processing plant, assured of good conditions and a decent wage. "For Argen, this opportunity was more than just employment," his brother Kenneth Kuni tells AAP. "It was a chance to fulfil his dream of providing a better life for his family." With visions of a promising new chapter, Mr Kuni instead found himself cleaning out the innards of hundreds of animals every day and returning to a small room shared with three other workers at night. He confided that he felt betrayed and was concerned for his mental and physical health as the conditions took a toll. Mr Kuni left the PALM scheme and was granted a different visa in 2022, going on to work in agriculture and construction. He finally earned enough to build his family home. But just as he was planning to return to his homeland, the 34-year-old was struck and killed by a car in a suspected hit-and-run in the NSW Riverina city of Griffith on April 28. His body was found just after 4am, the time he usually began walking to work at a local poultry farm. "In a conversation shortly before his death, Argen expressed his satisfaction in achieving his goal of building a home for his family and his desire to return home to reunite with them," Kenneth Kuni says, over email. "Unfortunately, he passed away before he could fulfil that promise." Police say Mr Kuni was found on the roadside. He'd suffered multiple injuries and could not be revived by paramedics. Investigators have appealed to find the drivers of a light-coloured ute and dark-coloured SUV seen in the area at the time. Mr Kuni's death highlights the risks and vulnerabilities faced by migrant workers, particularly the estimated 4800 people who absconded from the PALM scheme across Australia in the five years to mid-2023. The inquiry has acknowledged many PALM workers flourish in Australia, with a 2022 survey showing 98 per cent would recommend the scheme to others and 92 per cent intended participating again. The federal government has moved to strengthen the scheme in recent years, introducing protections such as minimum hours requirements, better transparency around accommodation costs and pay parity with domestic workers. It has also formed a task force to better prevent and respond to worker disengagement, while language, literacy and digital training has been offered to participants under a new program. Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth says grievance mechanisms are available when there are allegations of worker exploitation. "My heart goes out to Mr Kuni's loved ones at this difficult time," she says. "The death of any PALM scheme worker is a tragedy." While the government's changes have been welcomed, legal and social advocates say the restrictive PALM visa conditions remain one of the biggest threats to workers' wellbeing. A more complex overarching issue is the way some Australians think about migrant workers, Mr Strutt says. "We've heard reports of PALM workers and other temporary migrants being referred to as imports or goods, not as human beings. "These are people who come to Australia to pick our fruit, butcher meat that ends up in our supermarkets and ... look after our loved ones. "They just don't deserve to be treated as sub-human." Kenneth Kuni wants to see greater mobility for PALM workers. He hopes his brother's short life inspires change. "His story serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by individuals seeking better opportunities abroad and the importance of ensuring fair treatment and support for all workers." Reports of modern slavery can be made to 1800 FREEDOM (1800 37 333 66)
The Advertiser
24-06-2025
- The Advertiser
'Culture of silence': confidentiality agreements help bosses, not victims
Welfare officer Pita Foliaki Lokotui got a call from a farm worker standing outside a hospital after being raped, asking him how she was supposed to get home. Mr Lokotui helps seasonal workers from his birth country, Vanuatu, to navigate agricultural employment in Australia. He acts as a mediator between employer and wage earner under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, a seasonal worker program for Pacific islanders when businesses can't find enough locals to fill positions. But in this case, there was little he could do but "be a listening ear" for the worker, who was given a taxi voucher to get to the hospital. Someone was supposed to pick her up after she'd seen a doctor but, instead, the hospital reception was left with instructions to give her another voucher for the ride back to her temporary home, Mr Lokotui said. "If I look at it in terms of support through through a Vanuatu lens, it's appalling," he said. A veteran of farm work, Mr Lokotui spent seven years picking fruit after arriving in Australia in 2004, before working on bee hives and ultimately becoming a beekeeper himself. Now the Mildura resident in north-west Victoria helps condense all the information workers from Vanuatu might need about their rights and responsibilities in Australia to "proactively" address any issues that might arise once they get to their jobs. On June 25 he's helping launch a new Australian Human Rights Commission report into workplace sexual harassment of diverse and marginalised people, Speaking from Experience: What needs to change to address workplace sexual harassment. One in three Australian workers say they have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, according to the commission. But that was much higher for particular groups of employees, including teenagers aged 15 to 17 (47 per cent), LGBTQIA+ people (46 per cent), Indigenous people (56 per cent), and people with a disability (48 per cent). The new report puts the voices and experiences of 300 people from diverse backgrounds, who have experienced sexual harassment at work, front and centre of the discussion. Their workplaces ranged from councils and fast food outlets, to hospitality, healthcare, farms, and community and professional services. Among the commission's 11 recommendations is to lift the lid of silence imposed on victims of harassment under non-disclosure (NDA) and other confidentiality agreements. "Contributors consistently noted that they felt NDAs and confidentiality agreements were used as a way to silence victim-survivors and protect perpetrators," sex discrimination commissioner Anna Cody said. "Many survivors may feel compelled to sign NDAs due to fear of losing future employment opportunities, professional retaliation, or reputational damage - despite the agreements often serving to protect the interests of organisations, such as minimising reputational risk," Dr Cody told ACM, the publisher of this masthead. She said NDAs "frequently" caused isolation, prevented victims from getting closure, and undermined transparency. Every employer had a responsibility to create a safe working environment. "By silencing those who experience workplace sexual harassment, identifying and addressing problems becomes very difficult," Dr Cody said. "This, in turn, perpetuates a culture of silence." The commission is recommending Australia adopts laws like those in Ireland to prevent employers from using NDAs in cases of harassment or discrimination unless the worker explicitly wants one. The employer would also need to fund independent legal advice for the worker in these cases. Mr Lokotui said seasonal farm workers - who came to Australia to earn money for a better life for them and their families - were often isolated and far from regional towns with little to do on their days off. It's why he focused his advocacy on preparing workers and helping create the safest work environments possible. "That's why I love beekeeping," he said. "Because with beekeeping you can't look at the bees and say, 'Why aren't you providing honey?'" You couldn't poke or kick the hive to force the bees to make honey, he said. "You need to understand what's happening around the environment. That's what I focus on." Welfare officer Pita Foliaki Lokotui got a call from a farm worker standing outside a hospital after being raped, asking him how she was supposed to get home. Mr Lokotui helps seasonal workers from his birth country, Vanuatu, to navigate agricultural employment in Australia. He acts as a mediator between employer and wage earner under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, a seasonal worker program for Pacific islanders when businesses can't find enough locals to fill positions. But in this case, there was little he could do but "be a listening ear" for the worker, who was given a taxi voucher to get to the hospital. Someone was supposed to pick her up after she'd seen a doctor but, instead, the hospital reception was left with instructions to give her another voucher for the ride back to her temporary home, Mr Lokotui said. "If I look at it in terms of support through through a Vanuatu lens, it's appalling," he said. A veteran of farm work, Mr Lokotui spent seven years picking fruit after arriving in Australia in 2004, before working on bee hives and ultimately becoming a beekeeper himself. Now the Mildura resident in north-west Victoria helps condense all the information workers from Vanuatu might need about their rights and responsibilities in Australia to "proactively" address any issues that might arise once they get to their jobs. On June 25 he's helping launch a new Australian Human Rights Commission report into workplace sexual harassment of diverse and marginalised people, Speaking from Experience: What needs to change to address workplace sexual harassment. One in three Australian workers say they have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, according to the commission. But that was much higher for particular groups of employees, including teenagers aged 15 to 17 (47 per cent), LGBTQIA+ people (46 per cent), Indigenous people (56 per cent), and people with a disability (48 per cent). The new report puts the voices and experiences of 300 people from diverse backgrounds, who have experienced sexual harassment at work, front and centre of the discussion. Their workplaces ranged from councils and fast food outlets, to hospitality, healthcare, farms, and community and professional services. Among the commission's 11 recommendations is to lift the lid of silence imposed on victims of harassment under non-disclosure (NDA) and other confidentiality agreements. "Contributors consistently noted that they felt NDAs and confidentiality agreements were used as a way to silence victim-survivors and protect perpetrators," sex discrimination commissioner Anna Cody said. "Many survivors may feel compelled to sign NDAs due to fear of losing future employment opportunities, professional retaliation, or reputational damage - despite the agreements often serving to protect the interests of organisations, such as minimising reputational risk," Dr Cody told ACM, the publisher of this masthead. She said NDAs "frequently" caused isolation, prevented victims from getting closure, and undermined transparency. Every employer had a responsibility to create a safe working environment. "By silencing those who experience workplace sexual harassment, identifying and addressing problems becomes very difficult," Dr Cody said. "This, in turn, perpetuates a culture of silence." The commission is recommending Australia adopts laws like those in Ireland to prevent employers from using NDAs in cases of harassment or discrimination unless the worker explicitly wants one. The employer would also need to fund independent legal advice for the worker in these cases. Mr Lokotui said seasonal farm workers - who came to Australia to earn money for a better life for them and their families - were often isolated and far from regional towns with little to do on their days off. It's why he focused his advocacy on preparing workers and helping create the safest work environments possible. "That's why I love beekeeping," he said. "Because with beekeeping you can't look at the bees and say, 'Why aren't you providing honey?'" You couldn't poke or kick the hive to force the bees to make honey, he said. "You need to understand what's happening around the environment. That's what I focus on." Welfare officer Pita Foliaki Lokotui got a call from a farm worker standing outside a hospital after being raped, asking him how she was supposed to get home. Mr Lokotui helps seasonal workers from his birth country, Vanuatu, to navigate agricultural employment in Australia. He acts as a mediator between employer and wage earner under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, a seasonal worker program for Pacific islanders when businesses can't find enough locals to fill positions. But in this case, there was little he could do but "be a listening ear" for the worker, who was given a taxi voucher to get to the hospital. Someone was supposed to pick her up after she'd seen a doctor but, instead, the hospital reception was left with instructions to give her another voucher for the ride back to her temporary home, Mr Lokotui said. "If I look at it in terms of support through through a Vanuatu lens, it's appalling," he said. A veteran of farm work, Mr Lokotui spent seven years picking fruit after arriving in Australia in 2004, before working on bee hives and ultimately becoming a beekeeper himself. Now the Mildura resident in north-west Victoria helps condense all the information workers from Vanuatu might need about their rights and responsibilities in Australia to "proactively" address any issues that might arise once they get to their jobs. On June 25 he's helping launch a new Australian Human Rights Commission report into workplace sexual harassment of diverse and marginalised people, Speaking from Experience: What needs to change to address workplace sexual harassment. One in three Australian workers say they have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, according to the commission. But that was much higher for particular groups of employees, including teenagers aged 15 to 17 (47 per cent), LGBTQIA+ people (46 per cent), Indigenous people (56 per cent), and people with a disability (48 per cent). The new report puts the voices and experiences of 300 people from diverse backgrounds, who have experienced sexual harassment at work, front and centre of the discussion. Their workplaces ranged from councils and fast food outlets, to hospitality, healthcare, farms, and community and professional services. Among the commission's 11 recommendations is to lift the lid of silence imposed on victims of harassment under non-disclosure (NDA) and other confidentiality agreements. "Contributors consistently noted that they felt NDAs and confidentiality agreements were used as a way to silence victim-survivors and protect perpetrators," sex discrimination commissioner Anna Cody said. "Many survivors may feel compelled to sign NDAs due to fear of losing future employment opportunities, professional retaliation, or reputational damage - despite the agreements often serving to protect the interests of organisations, such as minimising reputational risk," Dr Cody told ACM, the publisher of this masthead. She said NDAs "frequently" caused isolation, prevented victims from getting closure, and undermined transparency. Every employer had a responsibility to create a safe working environment. "By silencing those who experience workplace sexual harassment, identifying and addressing problems becomes very difficult," Dr Cody said. "This, in turn, perpetuates a culture of silence." The commission is recommending Australia adopts laws like those in Ireland to prevent employers from using NDAs in cases of harassment or discrimination unless the worker explicitly wants one. The employer would also need to fund independent legal advice for the worker in these cases. Mr Lokotui said seasonal farm workers - who came to Australia to earn money for a better life for them and their families - were often isolated and far from regional towns with little to do on their days off. It's why he focused his advocacy on preparing workers and helping create the safest work environments possible. "That's why I love beekeeping," he said. "Because with beekeeping you can't look at the bees and say, 'Why aren't you providing honey?'" You couldn't poke or kick the hive to force the bees to make honey, he said. "You need to understand what's happening around the environment. That's what I focus on." Welfare officer Pita Foliaki Lokotui got a call from a farm worker standing outside a hospital after being raped, asking him how she was supposed to get home. Mr Lokotui helps seasonal workers from his birth country, Vanuatu, to navigate agricultural employment in Australia. He acts as a mediator between employer and wage earner under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, a seasonal worker program for Pacific islanders when businesses can't find enough locals to fill positions. But in this case, there was little he could do but "be a listening ear" for the worker, who was given a taxi voucher to get to the hospital. Someone was supposed to pick her up after she'd seen a doctor but, instead, the hospital reception was left with instructions to give her another voucher for the ride back to her temporary home, Mr Lokotui said. "If I look at it in terms of support through through a Vanuatu lens, it's appalling," he said. A veteran of farm work, Mr Lokotui spent seven years picking fruit after arriving in Australia in 2004, before working on bee hives and ultimately becoming a beekeeper himself. Now the Mildura resident in north-west Victoria helps condense all the information workers from Vanuatu might need about their rights and responsibilities in Australia to "proactively" address any issues that might arise once they get to their jobs. On June 25 he's helping launch a new Australian Human Rights Commission report into workplace sexual harassment of diverse and marginalised people, Speaking from Experience: What needs to change to address workplace sexual harassment. One in three Australian workers say they have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, according to the commission. But that was much higher for particular groups of employees, including teenagers aged 15 to 17 (47 per cent), LGBTQIA+ people (46 per cent), Indigenous people (56 per cent), and people with a disability (48 per cent). The new report puts the voices and experiences of 300 people from diverse backgrounds, who have experienced sexual harassment at work, front and centre of the discussion. Their workplaces ranged from councils and fast food outlets, to hospitality, healthcare, farms, and community and professional services. Among the commission's 11 recommendations is to lift the lid of silence imposed on victims of harassment under non-disclosure (NDA) and other confidentiality agreements. "Contributors consistently noted that they felt NDAs and confidentiality agreements were used as a way to silence victim-survivors and protect perpetrators," sex discrimination commissioner Anna Cody said. "Many survivors may feel compelled to sign NDAs due to fear of losing future employment opportunities, professional retaliation, or reputational damage - despite the agreements often serving to protect the interests of organisations, such as minimising reputational risk," Dr Cody told ACM, the publisher of this masthead. She said NDAs "frequently" caused isolation, prevented victims from getting closure, and undermined transparency. Every employer had a responsibility to create a safe working environment. "By silencing those who experience workplace sexual harassment, identifying and addressing problems becomes very difficult," Dr Cody said. "This, in turn, perpetuates a culture of silence." The commission is recommending Australia adopts laws like those in Ireland to prevent employers from using NDAs in cases of harassment or discrimination unless the worker explicitly wants one. The employer would also need to fund independent legal advice for the worker in these cases. Mr Lokotui said seasonal farm workers - who came to Australia to earn money for a better life for them and their families - were often isolated and far from regional towns with little to do on their days off. It's why he focused his advocacy on preparing workers and helping create the safest work environments possible. "That's why I love beekeeping," he said. "Because with beekeeping you can't look at the bees and say, 'Why aren't you providing honey?'" You couldn't poke or kick the hive to force the bees to make honey, he said. "You need to understand what's happening around the environment. That's what I focus on."
