Zed Seselja (ACT, Liberal Party, Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Hansard source

Supporting the region's economic recovery is critical to Australia's own recovery and to securing jobs both in Australia and across the Pacific. Pacific labour programs are a high priority for nations in our region and, indeed, are one of Australia's highest priorities for the Pacific. Through the Pacific Labour Scheme and the Seasonal Worker Program, we're providing valuable employment opportunities to more than 14,000 Pacific and Timor-Leste workers, which are not just boosting the workers' incomes but helping to stimulate the economies of the region. These workers are meeting the critical workforce needs of hundreds of Australian businesses in a range of sectors, including horticulture, meat processing, tourism and aged care, just to name a few.

As the Prime Minister announced on Friday at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, we will double the number of Pacific workers in Australia between now and March next year. This is all part of our plan to secure the economic recovery and protect jobs both in Australia and across the region.