HUGH SCHUITEMAKER and PETA-MARIE PHILIPPOU
THEY came, they worked, they sang with happiness when quarantine was over – and Riverland employers now have 800 extra pickers and packers “ready and willing to work”.
Work began last Friday to dismantle security features at the Paringa Resort, following the successful competition of a State Government quarantine program for Pacific Island backpackers.
PIRSA cultural advisor Tukini Tavui said the quarantine program “ticked all the boxes”.
“The quarantine was a success and from a cultural aspect was perfect for the workers,” he said.
“It was able to accommodate for their own wellbeing and it set quite a benchmark around the country.”
Chaffey MP Tim Whetstone said the initiative’s success would ensure the Riverland horticulture industry remained profitable this year.
“Our region has been a centrepiece in showing regional Australia our quarantine facility can work effectively and we now have over 800 workers in the region ready and willing to work,” Mr Whetstone said.
“Our growers are happy they can now pick and pack their fruit, get on with selling their first-class product to the world and are in a far better situation than those in other states around the country who have had to watch their fruit fall to the ground.
“The questions from locals on how the quarantine would work safety and keep our community Covid-free have been answered and the Riverland community can give themselves credit for how well they have handled a serious and delicate issue. I want to thank everyone who was involved in what has been an outstanding success, particularly SA Health, SAPOL, PIRSA and the contractors.”
Under the program, workers from Tonga, Vanuatu, Kiribati and Fiji began arriving at the facility – where they were quarantined for two weeks – in April.
Mr Tavui said the workers were pleased to be out of quarantine.
“The facility said goodbye to fences, marquees, the command centre, extra cameras and tables,” he said.
“After all the equipment was packed up on Friday, the workers walked out singing in groups… they were so happy.
“The facility will now serve as a normal accommodation site and all the Islanders are happy to be where they are.”
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development David Basham said utilising Pacific Island workers was necessary to avoid “devastating” impacts on local citrus growers.
“Industry modelling shows if there was a significant reduction in the availability of seasonal workers there could have been nearly $1 billion wiped from our state economy,” Mr Basham said.
“This would have been devastating for our local agriculture industry and the thousands of jobs across the state it supports.
“These Pacific Island seasonal workers are now making a valuable contribution to the South Australian economy by working in seasonal harvest… roles.”
Mr Basham said the initiative’s success could lead to the introduction of pre-departure quarantine programs for Pacific Islanders.
“We will continue to work with industry, SA Health and SAPOL moving forward to see what other options exist to get seasonal workers into South Australia if required,” Mr Basham said.
“Discussions are continuing about a potential in-country pre-departure quarantine pilot with Vanuatu and Fiji.”