Overseas guest workers for aged care?

Foreign Minister Stephen Smith  has had discussions with  neighbouring  countries about introducing a Pacific Islander guest workers’ scheme to  help  domestic Pacific economies.

The talks come as sections of the trade union movement have dropped their opposition to a freer migration regime between Australia and its Pacific Island neighbours, with the Australian Workers Union backing the establishment of a guest workers’ scheme.

Australia has also had discussions with  New Zealand  on a New Zealand labour-market trial.

“We’re having a look at the New Zealand labour mobility pilot program and it’s obviously something we have under consideration,” Mr Smith said.

Australian aged care facilities, especially those in rural and remote regions have had difficulty in recruiting staff including personal care workers, and a guest worker scheme could be a way of boosting their workforce.