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Seasonal Worker Program– Regulation Impact Statement – Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations

On 18 December 2011, the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Financial Services and Superannuation, Bill Shorten MP, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kevin Rudd MP, and the Minister for Resources and Energy and Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson AM MP released a joint media release, announcing a permanent Seasonal Worker Program will begin on 1 July 2012. The initiative builds on the Pacific Seasonal Worker Pilot Scheme and enables Australian farmers in the horticulture sector to employ workers from the Pacific Region and East Timor. The initiative is to provide access to seasonal employment opportunities in Australia which will deliver financial gains and employment experience to workers from the Pacific Region and East Timor. It will also help horticulturalists to meet unmet demand for seasonal labour. The proposal also includes a small‑scale, three year trial of seasonal labour arrangements with cotton and cane growers, aquaculture ventures and accommodation providers in the tourism industry. A Regulation Impact Statement was prepared for this proposal and was assessed as adequate by the Office of Best Practice Regulation.