Australian High Commission
Papua New Guinea

Media Release Warning

MEDIA RELEASE



27 September 2006

PUBLIC WARNED AGAINST SCHEMES OFFERING AGRICULTURAL WORK IN AUSTRALIA


The Australian High Commission is warning members of the public not to pay money to people claiming they can organise agricultural work in Australia.

Australia’s High Commissioner to PNG, His Excellency Mr Michael Potts, said people should be careful about scams involving offers of seasonal labour work in Australia.

MrPotts said: “The Australian High Commission is concerned to ensure that Papua New Guineans are not being conned out of their hard-earned money.

“As such we wish to inform the PNG public that there have been no changes to our work visa policies.

“At present we do not issue visas for seasonal agricultural labour schemes.

“We warn members of the public not to pay money to any person or agent who says he or she can organise agricultural work in Australia.

“We encourage any person wishing to travel to Australia to make inquiries with the Immigration Office at the Australian High Commission about the appropriate visa arrangements.”

Recent media reports have suggested that scams are operating in some parts of the country, in which people claim that they can organise agricultural work in Australia in return for payment of a fee.


Media Inquiries: Leigh Arnold, Public Affairs Manager, Ph: 325 9333 ext 275, Mobile: 683 9811