Symposium: Pacific Islands Migration and Labour Mobility: Issues and Responses
At the Pacific Heads of Governments meeting, in Niue on 19 August 2008, Australia will respond to Pacific Islands' governments request on taking short term labour supply from Pacific countries. There is the view that there is a need for seasonal labour supply to meet unmet demand for labour in certain Australian industries. Some proponents of the idea view this as the right gesture in encouraging concrete trade (labour) as opposed to the overdependence on aid in the Pacific. Others are legitimately concerned that such undertaking need be framed within a human rights framework, protecting the workers involved and help nurture best practices for the Australian industry for sustainable outcomes. The symposium will address key issues and cover responses from key stakeholder groups.
Professor John McCallum, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education Programs), Victoria University (Welcome Address)
Hon. Duncan Kerr, SC MP Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Islands Affairs, will give the keynote address. This will be followed by a group of panellists, and a session for questions and discussion. The panellists are:
Professor Hurriyet Babacan, Professor of Social and Cultural Development, ICEPA, Victoria University
Mr. Nic Maclellan, International Research Associate, Institute for Research, Swinburne University
Dr. Fei' iloakitau Kaho Tevi, Secretary for the Pacific Council of Churches, World Council of Churches Pacific Desk, Suva, Fiji
Ms Alison Tate, International Officer, Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU)
Mr Cawley Hennings, Policy Officer - Workplace Relations, National Farmers Federation (Australia)
Ms Gaye Tripodi, Horticultural Producer, Swan Hill, Victoria
Mr. Mosese Waqa, Pacific Research & Development Officer, ICEPA, Victoria University
When: 9.15am (seated at 9.30am) - 12.45pm, Wednesday 6th August 2008
Where: 'Eats' Suite, Building P (Private room inside the Central Café) Footscray Park Campus, Victoria University
Melways street directory, map ref 42 C2; more details and enlargement map on map ref 2S
For detail map of the Footscray Park campus, with satellite and hybrid options (with street labels), go to:
http://www.vu.edu.au/About_VU/Campus_Maps/Footscray_Park/index.aspx
An enlarged map of the campus is at:
http://www.vu.edu.au/library/scripts/objectifyMedia.aspx?file=pdf/581/00.pdf&siteID=4&str_title=Footscray%20park%20campus.pdf
Public Transport: 15 minute walk from Footscray station - walk to Irvin St, right into Leeds, left into Hopkins and right into Nicholson St. Campus is straight ahead. Buses to the campus connecting with suburbs are Routes 406, 409. For bus timetable go to http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/ and insert the route number on the transport "search options".
RSVP: Morning tea will be provided. Please contact Sue Butterworth by Monday, 4 August at 9919 5478 or sue.butterworth@vu.edu.au
