Latest news with #andWorkplaceRelations
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)
Sky News AU
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Karl Stefanovic calls for investigation after Channel Nine reporter Lauren Tomasi hit with rubber bullet covering LA protests
Television host Karl Stefanovic has called for a "proper investigation" after a fellow Channel Nine journalist was shot while covering the Los Angeles immigration protests. The network's United States correspondent, Lauren Tomasi, was filming a cross during chaotic scenes in the downtown area between hundreds of police and demonstrators. The reporter, who had her back towards a line of officers, had just finished her sentence when one of the police turned in her direction and fired a rubber bullet. A projectile struck the calf of Tomasi who could be heard wincing in pain. It is not known what had happened in front of the Channel Nine journalist that led to the officer firing the rubber bullet or whether she was the intended target. Stefanovic on Tuesday told Today show viewers it may be one of three reasons. "A moment where an LA officer so thought his life was in danger he needed to discharge his weapon, an incompetent warning shot, or the act of a coward," he said. The Today host said whatever the reason, it had to be "properly investigated" given it was clear Tomasi was a reporter as she was holding a microphone in front of a camera. "Lauren is a hard-working, tenacious reporter who is always determined to be fair and balanced. She's also the best of us. You will not meet a kinder person," he said. "I get that it's dangerous to cops, too. What's happened to them in the line of duty and the position they are in is horrendous. But how is it okay for your police force to be firing at unarmed Australian journalists? If Albo (Prime Minister Anthony Albanese) is looking for a place to start with Donald Trump - as an Australian, I might start there." Appearing on a panel to talk about the day's headlines, Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth said her thoughts were with Tomasi. "I'm not aware of what will and will not be in conversations," she said, after being asked by Stefanovic about whether Mr Albanese will raise it with President Trump, as the world's leaders prepare to meet in Canada for a two-day G7 summit this weekend. "I understand she's okay and she wasn't seriously injured, but Australia absolutely believes in the freedom of journalists to do their job and to do their job safely, and that journalists should be protected. And so this is obviously a very difficult circumstance... but it's a principle of press freedom that we hold dear as Australians." Tasmanian Greens Senator Nick McKim described the footage as "shocking" which "looked deliberately done", as he also urged for an investigation into the incident. "This does need to be raised at the highest levels," he said. "The fact that you've got someone in uniform who appears to take a deliberate pot shot at a journalist, that is completely unacceptable and it needs to be raised at the highest levels, whether that's the PM or the President or the Foreign Affairs Minister level. "The United States needs to understand that that is just not okay." Tomasi posted to X several hours after the incident on Monday (local time). "Hey there. Thanks for all your messages - I'm a bit sore, but I'm okay," she wrote. "Important we keep on telling the stories that need to be told." The US military has also confirmed it will deploy 700 Marines to Los Angeles ahead of a fourth consecutive day of protests, which had turned violent. Streets in LA descended into chaos on Friday (local time) after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers made dozens of arrests across the city over allegations of immigration violations as part of the administration's crackdown. Protesters clashed with police and agents as they attempted to carry out arrests, leading to law enforcement to use flash bangs and pepper spray to quell the crowd. About 300 Californian National Guards of the 2,000 deployed by President Trump have arrived to the city. Marines are due to arrive in the next 24 hours. Protests on Monday (local time) have reduced in size and are peaceful.
Sky News AU
03-06-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
Labor Minister admits federal politicians will ‘not have to pay' super tax until retirement
Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell says Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth has admitted that federal politicians on the old pension scheme will not have to pay the superannuation tax until they retire. Two leading Coalition frontbenchers have called on Labor to scrap taxing unrealised gains and index the threshold in its controversial superannuation proposal if the Opposition is to consider bipartisan support for the plan. 'That puts them in a different category to ordinary Australians, who, controversially, we know under this legislation, will be paying tax on money they don't have yet,' Mr Clennell said.
