Horticulture, Justice, and Migrant Labour in Coastal Australia

The growth of Australia’s horticultural sector, combined with its seasonal and labour-intensive nature, limited supply of local labour, as well as cost pressures from retailers and global production, has increased the demand for temporary foreign workers in regional and rural Australia. This paper critically examines Australia’s use of migration policies to meet this demand, focusing on the Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program and the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme. Through policy analysis and interviews with industry and government stakeholders, this paper explores how these programs shape the conditions under which migrant workers are employed. Recent allegations of modern slavery within the PALM program and inquiries into the WHM program underscore systemic issues of underpayment, restrictions on worker freedom, and exploitative practices. This paper addresses the ethical challenges and power imbalances embedded in the design of these migration programs, offering insights into the ongoing struggle for inclusion, justice, workers’ rights, and decent work conditions.