Tongans begin work on Australian almond farm

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Updated February 19, 2009 15:21:35

Australia's first Pacific Island unskilled workers have started their new jobs on a farm in a small town in rural Victoria. The 50 Tongans arrived in the country on Monday. Australia intends to bring in more than two thousand Pacific Islanders from Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Kiritbati to pick fruit. Australia Network correspondent, Jeff Waters tells me the 50 Tongans have already received cash advances and gone on their first shopping trip in the town of Robinvale.

presenter: Geraldine Coutts
Speaker: Australia Network correspondent, Jeff Waters

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