FROM TONGA TO ST GEORGE
IN A first for remote regional areas of Queensland, onfarm quarantine arrangements in St George have been approved for seasonal workers from Tonga.
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries’ Peter Donaghy said 34 seasonal workers would arrive at a crucial time to harvest significantly sized onion and garlic crops.
“These workers will provide much needed relief and support for growers in this remote region of Queensland,” Mr Donaghy said.
“This is the first time a cohort of seasonal workers has been approved to work in the St George area as the department works to support the agriculture industry.
“Providing the workers required by the agriculture sector while simultaneously keeping the community safe is particularly challenging.
“So far, Queensland has successfully brought in 3680 … workers from Pacific Island nations with the lowest risk of Covid-19 transmission to work in the state’s agricultural businesses, with 2294 of those workers having successfully completed on-farm quarantining.”