More Papua New Guineans for Seasonal Work in Australia

Press release embargo till: 6 am  Thursday 27^th October 2011

Press Statement

Today marks another milestone in Papua New Guineas economic history with regards to providing job opportunities for ordinary, underprivileged, under skilled Papua New Guinean citizens and their communities. It is also a reaffirmation of the O’Niel- Nama Governments commitment to achieving the Go PNG Goals of Providing equal opportunities to all citizens’ women and men alike to contribute to the growth of Papua New Guineas economy and our progress in achieving the Medium Term Development Goals of ‘Eradication poverty and hunger[1]’, ‘promoting gender equality and empowerment of women[2]’ and ‘developing a global partnership for development[3]’ thereby increasing investor confidence for our country’s human resource development.

The Papua New Guinea Seasonal Workers Coordination office through the Department Of Foreign Affairs And Immigration in collaboration with the Department Of Labour And Industrial Relations is proud to announce the departure of 6 men and 6 women Seasonal Workers who are travelling to Ironbark Citrus Farm in Queensland, Australia, after much intensive training and preparation. Today Papua New Guinea sends off 12 young energetic, able bodied, men and women from various economic and cultural backgrounds from various provinces in Papua New Guinea.

This occasion is significant as it is an indication of the commitment and trust that has been established between the governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia by the first group of 9 Papua New Guineans who were hired by MADEC an Australian Approved Employer in Robinvale, Victoria. Their participation in the Pacific Seasonal Workers Scheme was crucial to opening the doors for more Papua New Guineas Participation in a competitive Labour mobility program that has been dominated previously by the Vanuatuan, Tongan, Samoan and Solomon Islanders.  Hence this group of 12 PNG Seasonal Workers carries the hopes of 3 million Papua New Guineans; their very presence in Australia will market, promote and further establish the potential of the PNG Labour market, thus consolidating confidence by Approved Australian Employers in acquiring/ engaging more Papua New Guineans on farms across Australia.

The PNG Seasonal Workers Coordination Office is committed to the facilitation of the Pacific Seasonal Workers Scheme and ensuring that ordinary, under skilled, under employed men and women of Papua New Guinea benefit from employment opportunities on farms in Australia and New Zealand .

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[1] Millennium Goal 1

[2] Millennium Goal 3

[3] Millennium Goal 8


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