Australian opposition against Pacific guest worker scheme
Updated
Plans to allow temporary workers from the Pacific into Australia could face problems when the proposal goes to the Australian parliament.
Our reporter in Canberra, Michael Cavanagh, says the Australian Labor government has been considering trialling a scheme which would allow Pacific Islanders to enter Australia on short term visas.
Guest workers would be able to work in rural industries such as picking fruit in orchards and vineyards where Australian producers have difficulty finding people willing to work.
The Opposition comprising the Liberal Party and the rural-based National party has indicated it will fight the scheme -- it says there has been insufficient debate.
The Opposition argues that the scheme would require changes to the country's labour and immigration laws.
The Australian Workers Union has given the scheme qualified suppport while a number of academic studies warn of exploitation.
