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.

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
Ms Alison Tate, International Officer, Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU)
Dr. Fei' iloakitau Kaho Tevi, Secretary for the Pacific Council of Churches, World Council of Churches Pacific Desk, Suva, Fiji
Mr. Mosese Waqa, Pacific Research & Development Officer, ICEPA, Victoria University

When: 9.15am (seated at 9.30am) - 12.45pm, Wednesday 6th August 2008
Where: Room T142 (Building T, on the first floor), Footscray Nicholson Campus, Victoria University, Corner of Nicholson & Buckley Streets, Footscray (Melways street directory, map ref. 2S E10; enlargement map on Melway map 583) For a detailed map of the campus go to: http://www.vu.edu.au/library/scripts/objectifyMedia.aspx?file=pdf/580/99.pdf&siteID=4&str_title=Footscray%20Nicholson%20campus.pdf
You can also view actual satellite photo of the campus at:
http://www.vu.edu.au/About_VU/Campus_Maps/Footscray_Nicholson/index.aspx

Public Transport: 5-10 minute walk from Footscray station - walk to Irvin St, left into Nicholson St, then to Buckley St. Buses to the campus connecting with suburbs including the City are Routes 220, 223, 409, 411 and 412. 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

http://www.vu.edu.au/Research/Institutes/ICEPA/Events/Pacific/Labour/indexdl_92559.aspx