Lisa Chesters (Bendigo, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I have to say I'm a little bit confused by what is before us, which we're debating, and what is being argued by the opposition. The motion that's before us is quite reasonable. It acknowledges and notes the importance of the PALM scheme and how it provides a vital workforce for Australian farmers, growers, food processors and regional businesses. It acknowledges the role and the importance of the PALM scheme for our Pacific neighbours and for guest workers who come to this country and the opportunity that they have to earn remittances here and send them home. It acknowledges the moral and regional leadership role that we can play. I would say our parliament is in agreement with all this. It is in that spirit that our government has sought to improve the PALM scheme from what we inherited from those opposite. It's disappointing that they stand up here and seek to water down all the strengths that we've put in place to protect the integrity of the scheme.

Let's remember what we inherited. We inherited a system which previously was made up of two programs, the Seasonal Worker Program and the Pacific Labour Scheme, which were rife with exploitation. Labour hire companies were exploiting workers. They were also exploiting farmers, growers and regional businesses. We knew that from the evidence from those farms, businesses and industries and we knew that from the workers. So what we did in government was acknowledge how important this scheme could be, not just for the workers and the countries they travelled to Australia from but also for our growers. We sought to bring together employers, industry, unions and government to tackle the exploitation problems that we had in these industries, to seek to enhance the system and to make sure that we were creating a sustainable worker program.

Since we've come to government, we have seen the scheme grow to over 31,000 workers as of June 2025. This is growth under our watch. We've also seen a growth in the number of new direct employers coming in. Under the scheme, which our government has improved, we have seen more direct employment, with more growers, more farmers and more meat-processing businesses, including big meat processors in my electorate, participating in the scheme. But this has come about not because of those opposite ranting and raving in this place but because of the direct advocacy of groups, businesses and organisations that want to see the scheme survive. I want to give a shout-out to AUSVEG and their chair, Bill Bulmer, for their advocacy and the practical way in which they suggested changes to our government to enhance the program. We're trying to improve it to make sure that workers don't get exploited; that, when people come here on this program, they get the hours they need to earn the money that's required to make their experience worthwhile; and that, when they're here, it is an experience in which they have good accommodation, they have support in terms of health care and they're able to send something home.

It is because of that relationship—of working with unions, employers, the sector and organisations like AUSVEG—that we've been able to change the system to adapt to what the industry needs and what the workers need. That is why it is growing. A direct employment relationship is always better. It is better for the worker, and it is better for the business. They have the integrity of knowing who their employees are and knowing that they are not being exploited by the unscrupulous labour hire companies that riddled the sector for decades—and still are a problem in some areas, and we are working with the industry to improve it.

We've already heard from speakers on this side about how important labour mobility schemes like PALM are to creating economic opportunity and strengthening connections with people in our region. We've also established the pathway for workers who want to stay in Australia and the pathway to permanent residency—something that has been raised by farmers and the industry. PALM, under us, is working. Through continued engagement with unions, employers and the sector, it will continue to grow and ensure that people who come here—whether short-term or long-term—are treated with respect.

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