Working towards biosecurity response to the detection of tomato brown rugose fruit virus under the national Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed.
The Australian Government is working closely with the South Australian Government to support tomato industry workers who were halted due to the impacts of tomato brown rugose fruit virus, and their financial wellbeing is a top priority at this difficult time.
South Australia’s Department of Primary Industries and Regions is responsible for leading the biosecurity response to the detection of tomato brown rugose fruit virus under the national Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed. The Australian Government continues to provide support to state and territory governments and domestic industries, and to engage with trading partners to minimise its impact.
Minister for Government Services Mr. Bill Shorten said Minister for Government Services Mr. Bill Shorten said quarantined workers would have access to individualized information about government payments and services.
“Services Australia has stepped in quickly to provide priority access to its specialist Financial Information Services (FIS) Officers, who can provide comprehensive information on termination payments, superannuation and Centrelink payments,” Minister Shorten said.
“They’ll be working hand-in-hand with the South Australian state government’s taskforce to help these workers through their next steps. While this is an evolving situation, the bottom line is that workers impacted should take advantage of the support available through Services Australia. This includes income support payments such as Job Seeker may be available, but individual circumstances can impact on eligibility, which is why tailored assistance can be so valuable.”
Services Australia also provides comprehensive services for those that do not speak English as a first language, including free interpreting and translation services in over 200 languages. Additionally, Pacific and Timor-Leste workers engaged under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme will also receive assistance under Services Australia.
The PALM scheme settings require approved employers to have contingency plans in place for unforeseen circumstances. The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) to initiate contingency arrangements including redeployment of impacted PALM workers to ensure that they continue to achieve the benefits of participating in the PALM scheme.
