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

I thank you, and I'm looking forward to the second as well. Today we have announced the next stage of reforms to the Pacific-Australia Labour Mobility scheme. The changes follow extensive public consultation with Pacific island countries and our domestic industries, which will see a consolidated, improved and more efficient Pacific worker scheme benefitting employers, workers and participating countries. From 4 April 2022 the Seasonal Worker Program and Pacific Labour Scheme will be consolidated and replaced by an improved PALM scheme, simplifying administration and reducing duplication. The new single PALM scheme will be managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and its provider, the Pacific Labour Facility.

We're also enhancing our commitment to skills and training as part of these reforms, with more opportunities for PALM workers to access job-specific training. These reforms will benefit employers, workers and participating nations, marking a new era of growth and success for Australia and the Pacific.