A “significant and obvious risk” to the health and safety of dozens of seasonal workers was identified after a search of a property in Tasmania’s north-west.
Key points:An inspection at a property accommodating seasonal workers in Tasmania’s north allegedly found a potential threat to lifeThe workers are participating in a scheme which delivers jobs for Pacific and Timor-Leste workersA similar incident happened in 2020, with 70 workers found to be at risk at the same propertyThe Latrobe Council issued an emergency order late last week after alleging that 40 seasonal workers were living in the same Shearwater property.
During the inspection on February 15 — undertaken by Tasmania Fire Service and Tasmania Police personnel, as well as council staff and independent building surveyors — a potential “threat to life” was identified, according to the council.
“Council’s primary concern is that there was a high risk to the health and wellbeing of those accommodated on-site,” the council said in a statement.
“Further, it is council’s contention that there has been an abject failure of process which has allowed this situation to have arisen.”
About 70 people were found living in the same property in 2020, also resulting in an emergency order being issued.
The seasonal workers are in Tasmania contracted to provide labour under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, which is administered by both the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR).
The scheme delivers jobs for Pacific and Timor-Leste workers.
The ABC understands a notice of appeal has been filed in Tasmania’s Civil and Administrative Appeals Tribunal (TASCAT).
The grounds of appeal include that the dwelling falls into a category under which there is “no limit on the floor area of a Class 1a building or on the number of occupants that may be present”.
The appeal also argues there are “no reasonable grounds on which to determine that a threat to life may arise out of the condition or use of the house building on the property”.
Mayor calls for actionLatrobe Mayor Peter Freshney said while the intent of the scheme “is undeniably positive”, efforts from the council to have guidelines altered to ensure compliance with the local government-administered codes and statutes have failed.
“It appears our submission to the 2020 Senate Enquiry into Temporary Migration has been ignored and simple suggestions such as mandating the provision of an appropriately sized waste treatment system have fallen on deaf ears,” he said.
“Local government is neither consulted nor considered when properties are approved under the scheme.
“We call on our elected representatives across all levels of government to stand up and bring about changes that will ensure those encouraged to participate in these programs are afforded the basic safe living and working conditions that we ourselves have come to expect in this country.”
Mayor Freshney thanked “those who have again raised their concerns regarding this issue”.
The council said the department was advised of the emergency order, and they provided the impacted seasonal workers with alternative accommodation.
Both DFAT and DEWR have been contacted for comment.
In a statement, Tasmanian Labor senator Anne Urquhart said the “welfare of PALM workers is paramount for the Albanese government”.
“The government moved very quickly to find alternative accommodation for these workers as soon as the matter was brought to our attention.
“We will continue working with employers, local government and other stakeholders to ensure appropriate accommodation standards.”
